Best Public Schools in Zip Code 50459

The 50459 zip code area is home to two schools - Northwood-Kensett Elementary and Northwood-Kensett Middle/High School, both part of the Northwood-Kensett Community School District. While the elementary school has a 2-star rating, the middle/high school stands out with a stronger 3-star performance ranking and higher proficiency rates on state assessments.

Northwood-Kensett Middle/High School appears to be the higher-performing school, with students exceeding district and state averages on the ISASP tests across multiple grade levels and subject areas. The high school also boasts an 88.3% 4-year graduation rate, a positive indicator of student success. In contrast, the elementary school has lower test scores and a 2-star rating, suggesting room for improvement.

While both schools face challenges, such as higher-than-desired chronic absenteeism rates, the middle/high school seems to be better resourced, spending $13,460 per student compared to $10,614 per student at the elementary school. Additionally, the middle/high school has a lower student-teacher ratio of 12.7, which may contribute to its stronger academic performance. Understanding the factors behind the performance gap between the two schools could help the district identify and replicate effective practices to benefit all students in the community.