Alternative School

Summary:

Alternative School is a public high school located in Mason City, Iowa, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 94 students. The school is part of the Mason City Community School District, which is ranked 265 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Alternative School consistently performs below the state and district averages in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores for both English Language Arts and Mathematics. For example, in 2023-2024, only 31.8% of 11th-grade students at Alternative School were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 51.7% for the Mason City Community School District and 65.7% for the state of Iowa. The school's performance has been consistently low, with its statewide ranking ranging from 257 to 333 out of 322-351 Iowa high schools over the past decade, and it has maintained a 0 or 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The nearby schools, such as Mason City High School, Mason City Virtual Academy, and St Ansgar High School, generally perform better academically and have higher statewide rankings compared to Alternative School. St Ansgar High School, in particular, stands out as a high-performing school, ranking 27th out of 338 Iowa high schools in 2023-2024 and consistently achieving proficiency rates well above the state averages in ISASP tests.

Detail:

Public 9-12

19 N. Illinois Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401

(641) 421-4426

District: Mason City Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
307^th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,600

Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

Number of students: 92

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.8%

African American:

12.0%

Hispanic:

10.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 63%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Alternative School ranks worse than 90.8% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.64. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Alternative School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (72.8%), African American (12%), Hispanic (10.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 63% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Alternative School is 15.6. (See more...)

Compare Alternative School employs 5.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Alternative School is $15,600.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Alternative School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Alternative School 307^th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Alternative School in the ranking list.)

Mason City Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Mason City Community School District 265^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Alternative School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	16.18	322^nd	351	8.3%
2013	9.74	333^rd	351	5.1%
2014	29.65	260^th	322	19.3%
2015	31.54	257^th	324	20.7%
2017	13.95	299^th	325	8.0%
2019	1.69	317^th	327	3.1%
2021	1.66	319^th	327	2.4%
2022	11.47	306^th	332	7.8%
2023	5.53	321^st	336	4.5%
2024	14.64	307^th	338	9.2%

See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Alternative School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	46	1	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	51
1989	46	3	1	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	54
1990	43	3	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	49
1991	45	2	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	51
1992	49	2	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	55
1993	48	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	49
1994	47	0	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	51
1995	49	3	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	55
1996	49	3	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	55
1997	48	3	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	56
1998	59	3	1	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	67
1999	63	1	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	69
2000	56	3	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	65
2001	59	7	2	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	74
2002	45	7	1	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	61
2003	45	7	1	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	61
2004	74	11	1	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	94
2005	70	10	0	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	93
2006	46	5	1	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	63
2007	62	4	1	10	2	n/a	n/a	0	79
2008	80	5	0	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	95
2009	63	3	0	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	73
2010	89	5	0	5	1	0	1	0	101
2011	87	9	0	13	1	0	1	0	111
2012	85	6	0	14	0	0	0	0	105
2013	67	8	0	12	0	0	1	0	88
2014	71	6	2	10	0	0	1	0	90
2015	57	6	1	14	0	1	1	0	80
2016	68	6	1	9	1	0	0	0	85
2017	59	5	0	13	1	0	0	0	78
2018	64	6	0	13	1	0	0	0	84
2019	55	4	0	12	0	0	0	0	71
2020	66	10	0	10	1	0	0	0	87
2021	77	4	0	11	1	0	0	0	93
2022	63	5	0	17	0	0	1	0	86
2023	74	6	0	13	1	0	0	0	94
2024	67	11	1	10	1	0	1	1	92

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Alternative School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	51	5.0	10.2	n/a
1989	54	0.5	108.0	0
1990	49	5.0	9.8	0
1991	51	5.0	10.2	11.8
1992	55	5.0	11.0	12.7
1993	49	5.0	9.8	12.2
1994	51	5.0	10.2	13.7
1995	55	6.0	9.2	0
1996	55	6.0	9.2	0
1997	56	6.1	9.2	12.5
1998	67	6.0	11.2	11.9
1999	69	6.0	11.5	20.3
2000	65	6.0	10.8	20
2001	74	6.0	12.3	47.3
2002	61	6.5	9.4	63.9
2003	61	6.5	9.4	63.9
2004	94	6.0	15.7	37.2
2005	93	6.1	15.2	41.9
2006	63	7.0	9.0	54
2007	79	7.0	11.3	49.4
2008	95	8.0	11.9	52.6
2009	73	8.0	9.1	72.6
2010	101	8.1	12.4	66.3
2011	111	6.4	17.3	62.2
2012	105	6.4	16.4	75.2
2013	88	5.4	16.2	72.7
2014	90	5.4	16.6	63.3
2015	80	5.0	16.0	72.5
2016	85	5.0	17.0	63.5
2017	78	5.4	14.4	76.9
2018	84	6.2	13.5	67.9
2019	71	5.8	12.2	80.3
2020	87	5.8	15.0	75.9
2021	93	5.8	16.0	77.4
2022	86	5.8	14.8	58.1
2023	94	5.9	15.9	61.7
2024	92	5.8	15.6	63

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Alternative School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	51	5.0	10.2	n/a
1989	54	0.5	108.0	0
1990	49	5.0	9.8	0
1991	51	5.0	10.2	11.8
1992	55	5.0	11.0	12.7
1993	49	5.0	9.8	12.2
1994	51	5.0	10.2	13.7
1995	55	6.0	9.2	0
1996	55	6.0	9.2	0
1997	56	6.1	9.2	12.5
1998	67	6.0	11.2	11.9
1999	69	6.0	11.5	20.3
2000	65	6.0	10.8	20
2001	74	6.0	12.3	47.3
2002	61	6.5	9.4	63.9
2003	61	6.5	9.4	63.9
2004	94	6.0	15.7	37.2
2005	93	6.1	15.2	41.9
2006	63	7.0	9.0	54
2007	79	7.0	11.3	49.4
2008	95	8.0	11.9	52.6
2009	73	8.0	9.1	72.6
2010	101	8.1	12.4	66.3
2011	111	6.4	17.3	62.2
2012	105	6.4	16.4	75.2
2013	88	5.4	16.2	72.7
2014	90	5.4	16.6	63.3
2015	80	5.0	16.0	72.5
2016	85	5.0	17.0	63.5
2017	78	5.4	14.4	76.9
2018	84	6.2	13.5	67.9
2019	71	5.8	12.2	80.3
2020	87	5.8	15.0	75.9
2021	93	5.8	16.0	77.4
2022	86	5.8	14.8	58.1
2023	94	5.9	15.9	61.7
2024	92	5.8	15.6	63

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Alternative School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$305 (2.0%)	$15,294 (98.0%)	$15,600

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Alternative School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 317^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 321^st of 336 High schools	1.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (Alternative School)	46.7	53.6	6.9%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Mason City Community School District)	66.2	60.5	5.7%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Alternative School)	33.3	28.6	4.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Mason City Community School District)	61.1	55.8	5.3%
11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	66.9	67.3	0.4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	71	94	32.4%
African American	4	6	50%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	12	13	8.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	55	74	34.5%
Two or More Races	0	0
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	80.3%	61.7%	18.6%

Schools Near Alternative School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)					ISASP Mathematics (2024)					ISASP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 7th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 8th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 9th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 10th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 11th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 7th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 8th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 9th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 10th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 11th Grade	ISASP Science 8th Grade	ISASP Science 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Alternative School	Public	9-12	19 N. Illinois Ave.	Mason City	50401	Cerro Gordo County	Mason City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 421-4426	92	6	15.6	63.0%	67 (72.8%)	11 (12.0%)	10 (10.9%)	1 (1.1%)	1 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.1%)	14.6	307^th of 338 public high schools	9.2%		5.5	321^st of 336 public high schools	4.5%	14					63.6					31.8			$15,600	$305	$15,294
Mason City High School	Public	9-12	1700 4th St. SE	Mason City	50401	Cerro Gordo County	Mason City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 421-4431	967	54	17.9	45.1%	683 (70.6%)	71 (7.3%)	132 (13.7%)	22 (2.3%)	8 (0.8%)	30 (3.1%)	15 (1.6%)	17.7	298^th of 338 public high schools	11.8%		15.3	298^th of 336 public high schools	11.3%				64.3	55.5	61.5			53.1	46.6	56.9		46.6	$16,496	$408	$16,086
Mason City Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual	7-12	1515 S Pennsylvania Ave	Mason City	50401	Cerro Gordo County	Mason City Community School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	No	(641) 421-4401	82	3	32.8	46.3%	62 (75.6%)	4 (4.9%)	10 (12.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.2%)	4 (4.9%)	17.5	301^st of 338 public high schools	10.9%		9.7	312^th of 336 public high schools	7.1%	11					66.7					20.0
Central Springs High School	Public	9-12	105 S East St	Manly	50456	Worth County	Central Springs Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 454-2208	233	17	13.7	37.3%	207 (88.8%)	3 (1.3%)	10 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.9%)	8 (3.4%)	72.6	76^th of 338 public high schools	77.5%		79.3	37^th of 336 public high schools	89.0%	39			87.7	90.2	92.2			70.2	67.2	80.4		65.6	$15,398	$174	$15,225
Clear Lake High School	Public	9-12	125 N 20th St	Clear Lake	50428	Cerro Gordo County	Clear Lake Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 357-5235	458	32	14.3	33.6%	392 (85.6%)	4 (0.9%)	26 (5.7%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	29 (6.3%)	65.9	114^th of 338 public high schools	66.3%		74	62^nd of 336 public high schools	81.5%	52			84.8	82.2	81.9			73.6	69.2	74.5		61.9	$16,404	$315	$16,089
Rockford Junior-Senior High School	Public	7-12	1460 210th Street	Rockford	50468	Floyd County	Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rk Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 756-3813	176	16	11.2	47.7%	164 (93.2%)	3 (1.7%)	3 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.4%)	49.7	194^th of 338 public high schools	42.6%		30.2	265^th of 336 public high schools	21.1%	71	75.0	57.9	81.3	80.6	60.5	85.7	36.8	68.8	66.7	69.8	52.6	61.1	$15,905	$659	$15,246
West Fork High School	Public	9-12	453 N. 5th St.	Sheffield	50475	Franklin County	West Fork Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 892-4461	196	17	11.6	29.6%	177 (90.3%)	3 (1.5%)	9 (4.6%)	1 (0.5%)	3 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.5%)								(n/a)													$15,359	$137	$15,222
St Ansgar High School	Public	9-12	206 East 8th Street	Saint Ansgar	50472	Mitchell County	St Ansgar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 713-4720	161	19	8.5	25.5%	150 (93.2%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.5%)	81.7	27^th of 338 public high schools	92.0%		91.4	9^th of 336 public high schools	97.3%	18			72.7	90.9	87.5			81.8	86.4	90.0		77.3	$18,983	$368	$18,616

Frequently Asked Questions about Alternative School

Is Alternative School a good school?

Alternative School ranks in the bottom 9.2% of Iowa high schools.

What is the racial makeup of Alternative School?

Students at Alternative School are 73% White, 12% African American, 11% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian, 1% Two or more races, 1% Not Specified.

How many students attend Alternative School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 92 students attended Alternative School.

What district is Alternative School in?

Mason City Community School District

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.