Photo: Thrive Allen County · CC BY-SA 4.0Iola’s public schools score below 67% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
In Iola, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Iola, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kansas, not nationally.
From Kansas 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.
Iola’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas (the state reports Iola’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,661 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Iola Middle School, then Iola Sr High. See the path ↓
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 Iola’s grade
C: better than 33% of Kansas school districts, #118 of 151 Kansas towns. Graduation is above the Kansas average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Iola, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Iola
Iola Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 619 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Iola
Iola Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 619 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Iola
Iola Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 619 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Iola
Iola Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 619 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Iola
Iola Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 619 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Iola
Iola Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 619 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Iola
Iola Sr High
Grades 9–12 · 296 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Iola
Iola Sr High
Grades 9–12 · 296 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Iola
Iola Sr High
Grades 9–12 · 296 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Iola
Iola Sr High
Grades 9–12 · 296 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Iola’s public schools are run by Iola Unified School District 257, which also serves Bassett, Deer Creek, Gas and Geneva and others. 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
Iola vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Iola’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Iola | C | Iola Unified School District 257 |
| Iola Township | — | Iola Unified School District 257 |
| Bassett | — | Iola Unified School District 257 |
All 2 neighbors share Iola Unified School District 257 with Iola, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Iola
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Iola High School Virtual).
Questions about Iola’s schools
Are Iola’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Iola children attend score below 67% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #118 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Iola in?
Iola Unified School District 257, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,175 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Iola kids go to high school?
Iola Sr High, with 296 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Iola’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Iola Unified School District 257 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Iola spend per student?
$14,661 in Iola Unified School District 257 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Iola families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Iola → 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 Kansas. Stars are from neighbors.