Washington High School

Q: Is Washington High School a good school?

Washington High School ranks 156 th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Washington High School is a public high school located in Cherokee, Iowa, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 353 students. The school is part of the Cherokee Community School District, which is ranked 157 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Washington High School has consistently performed well academically, ranking among the top high schools in Iowa. In the 2021-2022 school year, the school ranked 18th out of 332 Iowa high schools and received a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. However, the school's ranking has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 21st to 165th. The school's students have demonstrated strong academic achievement, with a high percentage of students proficient or better in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) tests across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 83.3% of 11th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 70.2%.

When compared to nearby high schools, such as Storm Lake High School, Washington High School generally outperforms its counterparts in academic metrics. However, the school's racial composition has become less diverse over the years, with the percentage of white students increasing from 87.94% in 2021-2022 to 88.79% in 2020-2021 and 85.55% in 2022-2023. This trend is in contrast to the increasing diversity observed in some nearby schools, such as Storm Lake High School, where the Hispanic student population has grown to 54.85% in 2022-2023. The school's spending per student ($14,371 in 2018-2019) is comparable to the nearby schools, indicating that the school's funding levels are within the range of its peers.

Detail:

Public 9-12

600 W Bluff St
Cherokee, IA 51012

(712) 225-6755

District: Cherokee Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
156^th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,371

Feeder schools for Washington High School:

Elementary:	Cherokee Elementary School
Middle:	Cherokee Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.4

Number of students: 353

Racial breakdown:

White:

85.6%

Hispanic:

6.5%

Two or more races:

4.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 33.4%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Washington High School ranks better than 53.8% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.25. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Washington 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

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Washington High School is $14,371.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Washington High School 156^th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Washington High School in the ranking list.)

Cherokee Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Cherokee Community School District 157^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Washington High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	33.68	283^rd	351	19.4%
2013	60.25	155^th	351	55.8%
2014	75.44	69^th	322	78.6%
2015	69.77	98^th	324	69.8%
2016	61.22	130^th	320	59.4%
2017	48.73	205^th	325	36.9%
2018	82.53	21^st	320	93.4%
2019	52.73	165^th	327	49.5%
2021	70.26	79^th	327	75.8%
2022	86.35	18^th	332	94.6%
2023	74.15	61^st	336	81.8%
2024	58.25	156^th	338	53.8%

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 Washington High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	448	1	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	450
1989	453	2	5	0	0	n/a	n/a	460
1990	438	6	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	446
1991	429	4	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	435
1992	428	6	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	438
1993	424	3	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	429
1994	456	5	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	461
1995	447	6	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	456
1996	447	6	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	456
1997	462	0	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	466
1998	446	2	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	455
1999	431	1	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	439
2000	431	3	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	435
2001	400	3	0	1	2	n/a	n/a	406
2002	371	3	6	11	2	n/a	n/a	393
2003	371	3	6	11	2	n/a	n/a	393
2004	350	5	7	10	2	n/a	n/a	374
2005	341	7	8	21	2	n/a	n/a	379
2006	342	4	3	4	9	n/a	n/a	362
2007	333	1	3	6	2	n/a	n/a	345
2008	333	3	4	8	1	n/a	n/a	349
2009	327	2	5	15	0	n/a	n/a	349
2010	303	3	2	15	1	2	2	328
2011	270	3	1	17	1	1	4	297
2012	254	1	1	20	1	1	9	287
2013	248	3	1	24	1	0	10	287
2014	253	7	1	20	1	0	10	292
2015	263	6	2	14	1	0	10	296
2016	265	7	3	22	0	0	5	302
2017	254	3	3	19	0	0	7	286
2018	245	3	2	25	0	0	7	282
2019	261	5	2	24	0	0	5	297
2020	285	6	1	19	0	0	8	319
2021	293	6	2	21	0	2	6	330
2022	299	6	5	18	0	2	10	340
2023	302	5	4	23	0	2	17	353

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 Washington High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	450	32.0	14.0	10
1989	460	3.3	139.3	8.7
1990	446	33.0	13.5	9
1991	435	28.0	15.5	7.1
1992	438	32.0	13.6	8.7
1993	429	31.0	13.8	12.1
1994	461	31.5	14.6	9.1
1995	456	30.5	15.0	8.8
1996	456	30.5	15.0	8.8
1997	466	30.5	15.3	7.7
1998	455	33.5	13.6	9.5
1999	439	33.0	13.3	10
2000	435	33.5	13.0	10.1
2001	406	32.7	12.4	10.3
2002	393	33.0	11.9	13.7
2003	393	33.0	11.9	13.7
2004	374	30.7	12.2	16.3
2005	379	29.3	12.9	19.8
2006	362	29.1	12.4	25.4
2007	345	27.1	12.7	21.7
2008	349	27.0	12.9	28.4
2009	349	26.2	13.3	34.7
2010	328	26.1	12.5	32.3
2011	297	24.5	12.1	30.6
2012	287	25.3	11.3	29.6
2013	287	23.4	12.2	32.8
2014	292	21.8	13.3	36.6
2015	296	22.0	13.4	39.9
2016	302	24.0	12.5	31.1
2017	286	22.0	12.9	33.2
2018	282	21.7	12.9	34.8
2019	297	21.3	13.9	33.7
2020	319	23.5	13.5	36.7
2021	330	25.4	12.9	38.5
2022	340	27.1	12.5	32.6
2023	353	26.1	13.4	33.4

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 Washington High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	450	32.0	14.0	10
1989	460	3.3	139.3	8.7
1990	446	33.0	13.5	9
1991	435	28.0	15.5	7.1
1992	438	32.0	13.6	8.7
1993	429	31.0	13.8	12.1
1994	461	31.5	14.6	9.1
1995	456	30.5	15.0	8.8
1996	456	30.5	15.0	8.8
1997	466	30.5	15.3	7.7
1998	455	33.5	13.6	9.5
1999	439	33.0	13.3	10
2000	435	33.5	13.0	10.1
2001	406	32.7	12.4	10.3
2002	393	33.0	11.9	13.7
2003	393	33.0	11.9	13.7
2004	374	30.7	12.2	16.3
2005	379	29.3	12.9	19.8
2006	362	29.1	12.4	25.4
2007	345	27.1	12.7	21.7
2008	349	27.0	12.9	28.4
2009	349	26.2	13.3	34.7
2010	328	26.1	12.5	32.3
2011	297	24.5	12.1	30.6
2012	287	25.3	11.3	29.6
2013	287	23.4	12.2	32.8
2014	292	21.8	13.3	36.6
2015	296	22.0	13.4	39.9
2016	302	24.0	12.5	31.1
2017	286	22.0	12.9	33.2
2018	282	21.7	12.9	34.8
2019	297	21.3	13.9	33.7
2020	319	23.5	13.5	36.7
2021	330	25.4	12.9	38.5
2022	340	27.1	12.5	32.6
2023	353	26.1	13.4	33.4

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 Washington High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$120 (0.8%)	$14,251 (99.2%)	$14,371

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Washington 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 165^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 61^st of 336 High schools	32.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Washington High School)	78.9	90.1	11.2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee Community School District)	78.9	90.1	11.2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Washington High School)	66.7	79	12.3%
10th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee Community School District)	66.7	79	12.3%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Washington High School)	71	83.9	12.9%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Cherokee Community School District)	71	83.9	12.9%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Washington High School)	67.1	83.9	16.8%
11th Grade Mathematics (Cherokee Community School District)	67.1	83.9	16.8%
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	297	353	18.9%
African American	5	5
American Indian	0	0
Asian	2	4	100%
Hispanic	24	23	4.2%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	261	302	15.7%
Two or More Races	5	17	240%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	33.7%	33.4%	0.2%

Schools Near Washington 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 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
Washington High School	Public	9-12	600 W Bluff St	Cherokee	51012	Cherokee County	Cherokee Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 225-6755	353	26	13.4	33.4%	302 (85.6%)	5 (1.4%)	23 (6.5%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	17 (4.8%)	58.3	156^th of 338 public high schools	53.8%		74.2	61^st of 336 public high schools	81.8%	95			71.3	73.6	83.3			62.4	74.7	74.4		72.4	$14,371	$120	$14,251
MMCRU High School	Public	9-12	400 Highland Drive	Marcus	51035	Cherokee County	Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 376-4172	203	17	11.9	34.0%	187 (92.1%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.5%)	71.8	80^th of 338 public high schools	76.3%		39	235^th of 336 public high schools	30.1%	155			83.3	82.4	80.0			70.4	76.5	81.6		72.0	$19,052	$284	$18,767
Alta-Aurelia High School	Public	9-12	1009 South Main Street	Alta	51002	Buena Vista County	Alta-Aurelia Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 200-1331	206	16	13.0	41.3%	170 (82.5%)	2 (1.0%)	23 (11.2%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	6 (2.9%)	48.7	201^st of 338 public high schools	40.5%		52.5	176^th of 336 public high schools	47.6%	25			73.9	80.0	66.0			65.2	76.0	61.7		56.0	$16,446	$128	$16,318
South O'Brien Secondary School	Public	7-12	307 W Groesbeck	Paullina	51046	O'Brien County	South O'Brien Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 949-3454	252	20	12.4	30.2%	227 (90.1%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.0%)	69.4	96^th of 338 public high schools	71.6%		75.7	52^nd of 336 public high schools	84.5%	44	88.6	100.0	65.7	95.5	95.2	80.0	100.0	57.1	75.0	85.7	88.6	70.5	$15,447	$108	$15,339
Ridge View High School	Public	9-12	519 E Maple	Holstein	51025	Ida County	Galva-Holstein Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 368-4353	239	17	13.6	38.5%	198 (82.8%)	6 (2.5%)	29 (12.1%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.7%)	51.4	186^th of 338 public high schools	45.0%		28.7	269^th of 336 public high schools	19.9%	83			70.2	73.0	81.5			66.0	69.8	72.2		55.6	$14,493	$120	$14,373
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College High School	Public, Charter	12	621 Tornado Dr	Storm Lake	50588	Buena Vista County	Storm Lake Community School District	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 732-8065	54	0		13.0%	13 (24.1%)	2 (3.7%)	23 (42.6%)	10 (18.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (7.4%)	1 (1.9%)								(n/a)													$14,028	$97	$13,931
Storm Lake High School	Public	9-12	621 Tornado Dr	Storm Lake	50588	Buena Vista County	Storm Lake Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(712) 732-8065	793	47	16.8	62.5%	125 (15.8%)	32 (4.0%)	435 (54.9%)	128 (16.1%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (7.2%)	16 (2.0%)	12.3	309^th of 338 public high schools	8.6%		11.7	309^th of 336 public high schools	8.0%				58.6	62.3	46.9			40.6	53.7	42.3		47.4	$15,042	$355	$14,687

Frequently Asked Questions about Washington High School

What is the racial makeup of Washington High School?

Students at Washington High School are 86% White, 7% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 1% African American, 1% Asian.

What schools feed into Washington High School?

Washington High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Cherokee Elementary School
Middle : Cherokee Middle School

How many students attend Washington High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 353 students attended Washington High School.

Is Washington High School a good school?

Washington High School ranks 156^th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Washington High School in?

Cherokee 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.