Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0Sioux City’s public schools score below 86% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
52% of students in Sioux City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Sioux City, 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.
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.
Sioux City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 59% of tested students were proficient in reading and 52% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,372 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools (private), Souixland Christian School (private), Bishop Heelan Catholic High School (private), Sacred Heart School (private), Mater Dei School-Nativity (private), Mater Dei School (private), Cathedral Dual Language Academy (private) and St. Pauls Lutheran School (private) are 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.
What’s behind Sioux City’s grade
D: better than 14% of Iowa school districts, #112 of 140 Iowa towns. Graduation is above the Iowa average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sioux City, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Sioux City · depends on your address
North Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,136 students · 16:1 students per teacher
East Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,076 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 826 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sioux City · depends on your address
North Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,136 students · 16:1 students per teacher
East Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,076 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 826 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sioux City · depends on your address
North Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,136 students · 16:1 students per teacher
East Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,076 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 826 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Sioux City · depends on your address
North High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,529 students · 20:1 students per teacher
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,495 students · 19:1 students per teacher
West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,308 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Sioux City · depends on your address
North High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,529 students · 20:1 students per teacher
East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,495 students · 19:1 students per teacher
West High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,308 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Sioux City’s public schools are run by Sioux City Community School District. Parts of Sioux City (17% of its land) are served by Sergeant Bluff-Luton instead. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Sioux City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Sioux City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | D | Sioux City |
| Sergeant Bluff | A | Sergeant Bluff-Luton |
Big Sioux, SD, Dakota City, NE, North Sioux City, SD and South Sioux City, NE border Sioux City but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.
Every school in Sioux City
29 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).
Questions about Sioux City’s schools
Are Sioux City’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sioux City children attend score below 86% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #112 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 14%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sioux City in?
Sioux City Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,189 students in 21 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Sioux City are served by Sergeant Bluff-Luton.
Where do Sioux City kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: North High School, East High School and West High School.
What is Sioux City’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Sioux City Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Sioux City spend per student?
$13,372 in Sioux City Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Sioux City?
Yes: Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools (Catholic, grades PK–12, 1,614 students), Souixland Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 558 students), Bishop Heelan Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 527 students), Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 364 students), Mater Dei School-Nativity (Catholic, grades PK–8, 282 students), Mater Dei School (Catholic, grades PK–4, 151 students), Cathedral Dual Language Academy (Catholic, grades PK–4, 80 students) and St. Pauls Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–5, 39 students).
Parents talk
What Sioux City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sioux City → 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.