Union High School

Q: Is Union High School a good school?

Union High School ranks 112 th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Union High School is a public high school located in La Porte City, Iowa, serving 316 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Union Community School District, which is ranked 41 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Union High School consistently outperforms the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 82.1% of 10th-grade students at Union High School were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 73.8%. In Mathematics, 79.1% of 11th-grade students at Union High School were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 65.7%. This strong academic performance places Union High School in the top half of Iowa high schools, with a statewide ranking of 112 out of 338 in the 2023-2024 school year.

When compared to nearby schools, Union High School stands out for its strong academic performance. However, the school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with a majority (88.61%) of students identifying as White in the 2022-2023 school year. This is significantly different from some of the nearby schools, such as East High School and West High School in the Waterloo Community School District, which have more diverse student populations. Additionally, Union High School has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (27.85% in 2022-2023) compared to some of the nearby schools, such as Expo Alternative Learning Center (84.73%).

Detail:

Public 9-12

200 Adams St
La Porte City, IA 50651-1143

(319) 342-2697

District: Union Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
112^th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,170

Feeder schools for Union High School:

Elementary:	Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School
	La Porte City Elementary School
Middle:	Union Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.7

Number of students: 315

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.8%

Hispanic:

5.7%

Two or more races:

2.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 25.7%

See top rated Iowa high schools

Compare Union High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Union High School ranks better than 66.9% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 66.25. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Union High 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 (89.8%), Hispanic (5.7%), two or more races (2.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 25.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Union High School is 11.7. (See more...)

Compare Union High School employs 26.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Union High School is $15,170.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Union High School 112^th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Union High School in the ranking list.)

Union Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Union Community School District 41^st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Union High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	33.50	284^th	351	19.1%
2013	43.00	253^rd	351	27.9%
2014	53.52	175^th	322	45.7%
2015	66.10	122^nd	324	62.3%
2016	35.95	233^rd	320	27.2%
2017	44.44	219^th	325	32.6%
2018	77.28	50^th	320	84.4%
2019	47.48	200^th	327	38.8%
2021	62.53	116^th	327	64.5%
2022	47.93	188^th	332	43.4%
2023	55.08	163^rd	336	51.5%
2024	66.25	112^th	338	66.9%

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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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Union High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1994	382	1	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	388
1995	384	2	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	388
1996	384	2	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	388
1997	412	1	1	1	2	n/a	n/a	417
1998	393	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	394
1999	416	0	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	417
2000	412	1	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	418
2001	377	2	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	381
2002	382	2	5	1	0	n/a	n/a	390
2003	382	2	5	1	0	n/a	n/a	390
2004	351	1	5	2	0	n/a	n/a	359
2005	359	1	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	367
2006	374	2	4	6	1	n/a	n/a	387
2007	379	2	2	9	2	n/a	n/a	394
2008	381	4	3	10	3	n/a	n/a	401
2009	401	6	2	2	1	n/a	n/a	412
2010	395	4	0	10	1	0	6	416
2011	379	4	2	13	0	0	7	405
2012	380	4	1	15	0	1	8	409
2013	373	4	1	13	0	0	9	400
2014	368	2	1	19	0	1	10	401
2015	368	0	0	11	0	1	12	392
2016	371	2	1	10	0	0	7	391
2017	377	1	2	7	0	0	7	394
2018	336	2	1	8	0	0	8	355
2019	356	3	1	9	0	0	8	377
2020	323	1	2	5	0	0	10	341
2021	300	3	2	7	0	0	9	321
2022	304	3	1	7	0	0	9	324
2023	280	4	2	17	0	0	13	316
2024	283	4	1	18	0	0	9	315

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 Union High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1994	388	25.5	15.2	9.5
1995	388	25.1	15.5	7.5
1996	388	25.1	15.5	7.5
1997	417	24.7	16.9	8.9
1998	394	26.7	14.8	8.1
1999	417	29.1	14.3	15.8
2000	418	28.5	14.7	13.6
2001	381	28.9	13.2	14.4
2002	390	30.3	12.9	19.2
2003	390	30.3	12.9	19.2
2004	359	26.8	13.4	19.5
2005	367	26.8	13.7	22.9
2006	387	27.7	14.0	27.6
2007	394	26.8	14.7	24.9
2008	401	27.1	14.8	22.9
2009	412	27.9	14.8	20.4
2010	416	27.6	15.0	21.4
2011	405	25.0	16.2	24.2
2012	409	24.9	16.3	20
2013	400	28.9	13.8	22.5
2014	401	29.1	13.7	21.7
2015	392	29.0	13.5	27.3
2016	391	29.0	13.4	26.6
2017	394	29.1	13.5	26.6
2018	355	27.9	12.6	24.5
2019	377	27.9	13.4	27.9
2020	341	26.9	12.6	26.7
2021	321	27.0	11.8	24.3
2022	324	25.4	12.7	26.5
2023	316	26.7	11.8	27.8
2024	315	26.8	11.7	25.7

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 Union High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1994	388	25.5	15.2	9.5
1995	388	25.1	15.5	7.5
1996	388	25.1	15.5	7.5
1997	417	24.7	16.9	8.9
1998	394	26.7	14.8	8.1
1999	417	29.1	14.3	15.8
2000	418	28.5	14.7	13.6
2001	381	28.9	13.2	14.4
2002	390	30.3	12.9	19.2
2003	390	30.3	12.9	19.2
2004	359	26.8	13.4	19.5
2005	367	26.8	13.7	22.9
2006	387	27.7	14.0	27.6
2007	394	26.8	14.7	24.9
2008	401	27.1	14.8	22.9
2009	412	27.9	14.8	20.4
2010	416	27.6	15.0	21.4
2011	405	25.0	16.2	24.2
2012	409	24.9	16.3	20
2013	400	28.9	13.8	22.5
2014	401	29.1	13.7	21.7
2015	392	29.0	13.5	27.3
2016	391	29.0	13.4	26.6
2017	394	29.1	13.5	26.6
2018	355	27.9	12.6	24.5
2019	377	27.9	13.4	27.9
2020	341	26.9	12.6	26.7
2021	321	27.0	11.8	24.3
2022	324	25.4	12.7	26.5
2023	316	26.7	11.8	27.8
2024	315	26.8	11.7	25.7

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 Union High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$348 (2.3%)	$14,821 (97.7%)	$15,170

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Union High 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 200^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 163^rd of 336 High schools	12.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Union High School)	67.9	64.9	3%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Union Community School District)	67.9	64.9	3%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Union High School)	79.5	73	6.5%
10th Grade Mathematics (Union Community School District)	79.5	73	6.5%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Union High School)	68	73.8	5.8%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Union Community School District)	68	73.8	5.8%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Union High School)	64.9	76.3	11.4%
11th Grade Mathematics (Union Community School District)	64.9	76.3	11.4%
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	377	316	16.2%
African American	3	4	33.3%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	1	2	100%
Hispanic	9	17	88.9%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	356	280	21.3%
Two or More Races	8	13	62.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	27.9%	27.8%	0%

Schools Near Union High 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 6th Grade	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 6th 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
Union High School	Public	9-12	200 Adams St	La Porte City	50651	Black Hawk County	Union Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 342-2697	315	27	11.7	25.7%	283 (89.8%)	4 (1.3%)	18 (5.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.9%)	66.3	112^th of 338 public high schools	66.9%		55.1	163^rd of 336 public high schools	51.5%	51				75.4	82.1	79.1				73.9	73.8	79.1		66.7	$15,170	$348	$14,821
West High School	Public	9-12	425 E Ridgeway Ave	Waterloo	50702	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2700	1,713	99	17.2	62.5%	806 (47.1%)	361 (21.1%)	260 (15.2%)	85 (5.0%)	5 (0.3%)	77 (4.5%)	119 (6.9%)	29.5	271^st of 338 public high schools	19.8%		31.6	263^rd of 336 public high schools	21.7%	8				68.5	68.7	65.9				51.3	64.5	54.6		52.5	$13,055	$432	$12,622
Jesup High School	Public	9-12	531 Prospect	Jesup	50648	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 827-1700	288	20	14.0	25.7%	276 (95.8%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.4%)	79.7	34^th of 338 public high schools	89.9%		66.7	101^st of 336 public high schools	69.9%	67				92.5	82.3	84.0				85.1	79.4	92.0		62.9	$13,563	$202	$13,361
Expo Alternative Learning Center	Public	6-12	1410 Independence Ave	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 433-1930	578	32	18.0	81.5%	226 (39.1%)	207 (35.8%)	54 (9.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	11 (1.9%)	76 (13.1%)	0.1	335^th of 338 public high schools	0.9%		0.4	332^nd of 336 public high schools	1.2%	3			23.1	30.8	28.0	35.4			30.8	13.0	15.7	12.2	25.0	18.2	$14,570	$546	$14,023
Hudson High School	Public	7-12	245 S Washington	Hudson	50643	Black Hawk County	Hudson Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 988-4226	368	28	13.1	22.8%	318 (86.4%)	4 (1.1%)	24 (6.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.4%)	83.3	19^th of 338 public high schools	94.4%		84.3	24^th of 336 public high schools	92.9%	5		82.7	78.7	86.7	83.6	90.2		70.7	85.1	78.3	80.3	91.8	59.6	80.3	$13,977	$58	$13,919
Vinton-Shellsburg High School	Public	9-12	210 W. 21st St.	Vinton	52349	Benton County	Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 436-4728	406	31	12.9	37.9%	371 (91.4%)	3 (0.7%)	12 (3.0%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.7%)	72.4	77^th of 338 public high schools	77.2%		74.9	56^th of 336 public high schools	83.3%	21				91.9	83.7	76.2				80.8	73.5	69.4		71.4	$14,506	$207	$14,299
East High School	Public	9-12	214 High St	Waterloo	50703	Black Hawk County	Waterloo Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 433-2400	1,013	52	19.3	73.6%	383 (37.8%)	324 (32.0%)	166 (16.4%)	6 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	36 (3.6%)	96 (9.5%)	7.6	316^th of 338 public high schools	6.5%		7.2	318^th of 336 public high schools	5.4%	2				50.2	55.9	49.2				43.0	50.0	45.1		34.0	$15,126	$451	$14,674
North Tama High School	Public	7-12	605 Walnut	Traer	50675	Tama County	North Tama County Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 478-2265	198	20	10.0	40.4%	176 (88.9%)	4 (2.0%)	9 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.5%)	48.4	205^th of 338 public high schools	39.3%		40.3	229^th of 336 public high schools	31.8%	24		75.9	72.7	59.0	86.7	87.5		51.7	48.5	38.5	70.0	78.1	51.5	60.0	$15,071	$555	$14,517
Dunkerton High School	Public	6-12	509 Canfield	Dunkerton	50626	Black Hawk County	Dunkerton Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 822-4295	208	15	13.9	38.9%	187 (89.9%)	2 (1.0%)	4 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (7.2%)	56	170^th of 338 public high schools	49.7%		50.3	185^th of 336 public high schools	44.9%	15	83.3	77.3	75.0	76.0	90.0	67.6	79.2	81.8	78.6	64.0	73.3	62.2	60.7	70.0	$15,242	$249	$14,993
Independence Junior Senior High School	Public	7-12	700 20th Ave SW	Independence	50644	Buchanan County	Independence Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 334-7405	724	44	16.3	34.7%	661 (91.3%)	5 (0.7%)	26 (3.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.3%)	66.2	113^th of 338 public high schools	66.6%		78.5	42^nd of 336 public high schools	87.5%	71		72.9	75.3	76.4	78.0	85.2		64.8	70.8	71.7	74.8	83.5	60.7	63.3	$15,700	$579	$15,121

Frequently Asked Questions about Union High School

What district is Union High School in?

Union Community School District

How many students attend Union High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 315 students attended Union High School.

What schools feed into Union High School?

Union High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School
Elementary : La Porte City Elementary School
Middle : Union Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Union High School?

Students at Union High School are 90% White, 6% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 1% African American.

Is Union High School a good school?

Union High School ranks 112^th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Union High School!

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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.