Cardinal High School

Summary:

Cardinal High School is a public high school located in Eldon, Iowa, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 276 students. The school is part of the Cardinal Community School District, which is ranked 255 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Cardinal High School has a lower student-teacher ratio (12.8) compared to nearby schools, which range from 15.3 to 16.5, the school's academic performance is a concern. Cardinal High School's test scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics are generally lower than the state averages and the nearby schools, such as Fairfield High School and Davis County Community High School. Additionally, the school has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 35.94% to 52.63% over the past three years, which is higher than the nearby schools.

Cardinal High School's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from 151 out of 325 Iowa high schools in 2016-2017 to 245 out of 338 in 2023-2024, suggesting the school is struggling to keep up with the performance of other high schools in the state. While the nearby schools also face challenges, with most of them ranked in the bottom half of Iowa high schools and having relatively low test scores compared to the state averages, Cardinal High School appears to be underperforming compared to its peers, which warrants further investigation and targeted interventions to improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 4045 Ashland Rd
       Eldon, IA  52554


(641) 652-7531

District: Cardinal Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
245th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,215 Help


Feeder schools for Cardinal High School:

Elementary:    Cardinal Elementary
Middle:    Cardinal Junior High

Student/teacher ratio:  12.8 Help
Number of students:  276

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.6%
Hispanic:
4.7%
Two or more races:
2.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  49.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cardinal High School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2017 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.79. (See more...)
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Compare Details Cardinal High School ranks worse than 72.5% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.88. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.6%), Hispanic (4.7%), two or more races (2.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 49.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cardinal High School is 12.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Cardinal High School employs 21.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cardinal High School is $15,215.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Cardinal High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Cardinal High School 245th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Cardinal High School in the ranking list.)

Cardinal Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cardinal Community School District 255th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Cardinal High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 36.95 267th 349 23.5%
2013 23.20 309th 350 11.7%
2014 7.82 324th 337 3.9%
2015 19.48 312th 349 10.6%
2016 19.09 311th 343 9.3%
2017 19.79 292nd 327 10.7%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Cardinal High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 14.79 325th 351 7.4%
2013 48.66 222nd 351 36.8%
2014 11.39 297th 322 7.8%
2015 54.72 169th 324 47.8%
2016 46.93 197th 320 38.4%
2017 59.48 151st 325 53.5%
2018 21.82 283rd 320 11.6%
2019 22.71 283rd 327 13.5%
2021 12.52 302nd 327 7.6%
2022 20.16 287th 332 13.6%
2023 38.36 237th 336 29.5%
2024 37.88 245th 338 27.5%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

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

Cardinal High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Cardinal High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 291 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 291
1989 245 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 245
1990 233 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 233
1991 209 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 210
1992 229 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 230
1993 206 1 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 209
1994 311 1 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 315
1995 293 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 294
1996 293 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 294
1997 291 2 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 294
1998 290 1 1 6 0 n/a n/a 0 298
1999 296 1 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 300
2000 308 1 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 312
2001 275 1 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 285
2002 338 2 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 348
2003 338 2 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 348
2004 345 3 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 354
2005 345 2 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 355
2006 349 3 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 356
2007 358 2 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2008 351 1 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 359
2009 334 3 8 6 0 n/a n/a 0 351
2010 351 1 0 9 0 5 1 0 367
2011 341 1 0 11 0 4 1 0 358
2012 325 0 1 10 1 4 0 0 341
2013 319 0 1 15 2 4 0 0 341
2014 346 0 2 10 0 0 4 0 362
2015 313 0 2 14 0 0 3 0 332
2016 317 1 1 15 1 0 6 0 341
2017 336 2 1 12 1 0 6 0 358
2018 202 0 0 7 1 0 4 0 214
2019 221 3 2 8 1 0 2 0 237
2020 232 3 1 13 2 0 4 0 255
2021 241 7 0 12 2 0 4 0 266
2022 255 5 1 10 1 0 9 0 281
2023 250 5 1 13 1 0 6 0 276

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 Cardinal High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 291 19.0 15.3 24.7
1989 245 1.8 136.1 19.2
1990 233 17.5 13.3 27.5
1991 210 17.5 12.0 21
1992 230 19.0 12.1 18.7
1993 209 17.7 11.8 16.3
1994 315 24.8 12.7 21.6
1995 294 25.5 11.5 26.9
1996 294 25.5 11.5 26.9
1997 294 21.3 13.8 20.7
1998 298 23.2 12.8 25.2
1999 300 26.0 11.5 39.3
2000 312 24.0 13.0 31.1
2001 285 26.7 10.7 33.3
2002 348 30.0 11.6 32.2
2003 348 30.0 11.6 32.2
2004 354 28.5 12.4 34.7
2005 355 32.0 11.1 43.1
2006 356 33.0 10.8 38.8
2007 363 27.3 13.3 40.2
2008 359 30.0 12.0 46.5
2009 351 27.0 13.0 42.7
2010 367 26.0 14.1 45.8
2011 358 24.2 14.7 48.3
2012 341 26.7 12.7 50.4
2013 341 23.0 14.8 50.7
2014 362 24.1 14.9 58
2015 332 24.0 13.8 58.7
2016 341 24.0 14.2 56
2017 358 21.9 16.3 51.4
2018 214 13.7 15.5 55.6
2019 237 22.4 10.5 53.6
2020 255 21.9 11.6 54.5
2021 266 17.4 15.2 52.6
2022 281 21.4 13.1 35.9
2023 276 21.4 12.8 49.6

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 Cardinal High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 291 19.0 15.3 24.7
1989 245 1.8 136.1 19.2
1990 233 17.5 13.3 27.5
1991 210 17.5 12.0 21
1992 230 19.0 12.1 18.7
1993 209 17.7 11.8 16.3
1994 315 24.8 12.7 21.6
1995 294 25.5 11.5 26.9
1996 294 25.5 11.5 26.9
1997 294 21.3 13.8 20.7
1998 298 23.2 12.8 25.2
1999 300 26.0 11.5 39.3
2000 312 24.0 13.0 31.1
2001 285 26.7 10.7 33.3
2002 348 30.0 11.6 32.2
2003 348 30.0 11.6 32.2
2004 354 28.5 12.4 34.7
2005 355 32.0 11.1 43.1
2006 356 33.0 10.8 38.8
2007 363 27.3 13.3 40.2
2008 359 30.0 12.0 46.5
2009 351 27.0 13.0 42.7
2010 367 26.0 14.1 45.8
2011 358 24.2 14.7 48.3
2012 341 26.7 12.7 50.4
2013 341 23.0 14.8 50.7
2014 362 24.1 14.9 58
2015 332 24.0 13.8 58.7
2016 341 24.0 14.2 56
2017 358 21.9 16.3 51.4
2018 214 13.7 15.5 55.6
2019 237 22.4 10.5 53.6
2020 255 21.9 11.6 54.5
2021 266 17.4 15.2 52.6
2022 281 21.4 13.1 35.9
2023 276 21.4 12.8 49.6

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 Cardinal High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $369 (2.4%) $14,847 (97.6%) $15,215

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cardinal 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 283rd of 327 High schoolsRanks 237th of 336 High schools
 16%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal High School)81.169.8
 11.3%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal Community School District)81.169.8
 11.3%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)74.372.9
 1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Cardinal High School)45.350.8
 5.5%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Cardinal Community School District)45.350.8
 5.5%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)67.167
 0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal High School)58.675
 16.4%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal Community School District)58.675
 16.4%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)71.468.7
 2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Cardinal High School)40.760.3
 19.6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Cardinal Community School District)40.760.3
 19.6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)66.967.3
 0.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students237276
 16.5%
African American35
 66.7%
American Indian11
Asian21
 50%
Hispanic813
 62.5%
Pacific Islander00
White221250
 13.1%
Two or More Races26
 200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.6%49.6%
 3.9%


Schools Near Cardinal High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cardinal High School

Students at Cardinal High School are 91% White, 5% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Cardinal High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Cardinal Elementary
Middle : Cardinal Junior High

Cardinal High School ranks 245th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 276 students attended Cardinal 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.





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