Photo: Scott A. Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0Storm Lake’s public schools score below almost every Iowa district on tests and graduation
46% of Storm Lake’s students graduate on time, below the Iowa average (88%). The grade covers the public school district serving Storm Lake, 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 98% 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.
Storm Lake’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 50% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
46% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,136 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Storm Lake Elementary, then Storm Lake Middle School, then Storm Lake High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS, St. Mary's School (private) and Von Der Becke Academy Corp (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 Storm Lake’s grade
D−: better than 0% of Iowa school districts, last of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; among the 617 Iowa towns with similar household incomes, Storm Lake’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Storm Lake, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Storm Lake
East Early Childhood Ctr
Grades PK · 122 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Early Elementary School
Grades K–1 · 437 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Storm lake
1st grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Early Elementary School
Grades K–1 · 437 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Storm lake
2nd grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 822 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 822 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 822 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Elementary
Grades 2–5 · 822 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 651 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 651 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 651 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 851 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 851 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 851 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Storm Lake
Storm Lake High School
Grades 9–12 · 851 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Storm Lake’s public schools are run by Storm Lake Community School District, which also serves Lakeside. 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
Storm Lake vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Storm Lake’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake | D− | Storm Lake |
| Lakeside | — | Storm Lake |
Every school in Storm Lake
8 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 Storm Lake’s schools
Are Storm Lake’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Storm Lake children attend score below 100% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Storm Lake in?
Storm Lake Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,933 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Storm Lake kids go to high school?
Storm Lake High School, with 851 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Storm Lake’s graduation rate?
46% of the class of 2023 in Storm Lake Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Storm Lake spend per student?
$14,136 in Storm Lake Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Storm Lake?
Yes: St. Mary's School (Catholic, grades 6–12, 103 students) and Von Der Becke Academy Corp (religious, grades 1–5, 3 students). Storm Lake also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Storm Lake families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Storm Lake → 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.