Best Public Schools in Afton, IA

The city of Afton, Iowa is home to two schools that serve students from elementary through high school: East Union Middle-High School and East Union Elementary, both part of the East Union Community School District. While both schools demonstrate positive academic metrics, East Union Middle-High School stands out as a particularly strong performer in the area.

East Union Middle-High School has consistently ranked in the top half of Iowa high schools, currently at 153 out of 340 schools, and maintains a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school boasts an impressive 88.3% 4-year graduation rate, exceeding the state average. Students at East Union Middle-High School also excel on standardized tests, with proficiency rates surpassing state averages in most subject areas and grade levels. In contrast, while East Union Elementary does not stand out as strongly, it has earned a respectable 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and its students have shown strong performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Both schools face some challenges, such as higher-than-desired chronic absenteeism rates of 21.6%. Additionally, a significant portion of the student population at each school comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with free/reduced lunch rates of 54.55% at East Union Middle-High School and 48.57% at East Union Elementary. However, the schools appear to be effectively utilizing their resources, as evidenced by their relatively high spending per student and low student-teacher ratios, which may contribute to their overall academic success.