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A
Schools in Rock Rapids · Central Lyon Community School District

Rock Rapids’s public schools outscore 92% of Iowa districts

87% of students in Rock Rapids’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Iowa average (70%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rock Rapids, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

#9of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
87%
▲ 17 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
77%
▲ 13 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.8K
▼ 7% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.3
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
789 students on the public path
In brief

Rock Rapids’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 87% and math 77% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,793 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Central Lyon Secondary School. Enrollment is up 44% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Ignite Christian Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Rock Rapids’s grade

A Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 92% of Iowa school districts, #9 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 92%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (631)Better than 96%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 512 test results and a graduating class of 62 could put Rock Rapids anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Rock Rapids’s students in the tested grades sat them (511 in math, 512 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rock Rapids, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–6Central Lyon Elementary SchoolCentral Lyon Community School DistrictA
7–12Central Lyon Secondary SchoolCentral Lyon Community School DistrictA

Rock Rapids’s public schools are run by Central Lyon Community School District, which also serves Doon. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Central Lyon Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 789 students, up 44% since 2020–21 · 13.3 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,793IA $13,713 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading87%
State average 69.7% · 512 students tested
Math77%
State average 63.8% · 511 students tested

Rock Rapids vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Rock Rapids’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Rock RapidsACentral Lyon

Every school in Rock Rapids

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Rock Rapidsby address
Central Lyon Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
A
431 students13:1Rate it →
Central Lyon Secondary School
High · Grades 7–12
A
358 students13:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Ignite Christian Academy
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
2,257 studentsRate it →

Questions about Rock Rapids’s schools

Are Rock Rapids’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rock Rapids children attend outscore 92% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #9 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rock Rapids in?

Central Lyon Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 789 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Rock Rapids’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Central Lyon Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Rock Rapids spend per student?

$12,793 in Central Lyon Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Rock Rapids?

Yes: Ignite Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 2,257 students).

Parents talk

What Rock Rapids families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rock Rapids → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.