Independence Junior Senior High School

Summary:

Independence Junior Senior High School is a public high school serving grades 7-12 in Independence, Iowa, with a student population of 701. The school is part of the Independence Community School District, which is ranked 193 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Independence Junior Senior High School consistently performs well on state assessments, with a significant portion of students scoring proficient or better in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates exceeded the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. This strong academic performance has earned the school a high statewide ranking, placing it in the top 20% of Iowa high schools in recent years. In the 2022-2023 school year, the school ranked 42nd out of 336 high schools in the state, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Wapsie Valley High School, North-Linn Senior High School, and Jesup High School, Independence Junior Senior High School stands out as a high-performing institution, with lower free and reduced-price lunch rates and a more favorable student-teacher ratio. The school's consistent academic achievements and positive trajectory over the years make it a standout among the nearby schools analyzed.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 700 20th Ave SW
       Independence, IA  50644


(319) 334-7405

District: Independence Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
113th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,700 Help


Feeder schools for Independence Junior Senior High School:

Elementary:    East Elementary School
    West Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.0 Help
Number of students:  701

Racial breakdown:

White:
92.7%
Hispanic:
3.7%
Two or more races:
3.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  32.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Independence Junior Senior High School ranks worse than 73.9% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.37. (See more...)
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Compare Details Independence Junior Senior High School ranks better than 66.6% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 66.2. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Independence Junior Senior High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
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.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Independence Junior Senior High School is $15,700.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Independence Junior Senior High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Independence Junior Senior High School 249th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Independence Junior Senior High School in the ranking list.)
SchoolDigger ranks Independence Junior Senior High School 113th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Independence Junior Senior High School in the ranking list.)

Independence Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Independence Community School District 193rd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Independence Junior Senior High School?

Rank History for Independence Junior Senior High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 34.91 275th 349 21.2%
2013 47.47 219th 350 37.4%
2014 65.16 120th 337 64.4%
2015 45.99 217th 349 37.8%
2016 34.94 254th 343 25.9%
2017 48.24 190th 327 41.9%
2018 54.89 155th 318 51.3%
2019 54.12 166th 342 51.5%
2021 56.08 154th 324 52.5%
2022 44.03 215th 337 36.2%
2023 52.27 181st 334 45.8%
2024 36.37 249th 337 26.1%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Independence Junior Senior High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 48.72 231st 351 34.2%
2013 52.33 207th 351 41.0%
2014 28.30 262nd 322 18.6%
2015 55.42 166th 324 48.8%
2016 32.70 242nd 320 24.4%
2017 69.47 94th 325 71.1%
2018 64.17 120th 320 62.5%
2019 66.60 114th 327 65.1%
2021 77.72 48th 327 85.3%
2022 73.15 70th 332 78.9%
2023 78.48 42nd 336 87.5%
2024 66.20 113th 338 66.6%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

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

Independence Junior Senior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    







Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
25%

25%

0%

25%

25%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Open Quote These people are very caring and love the kids. They have an awsome counseling group, and wonderful principle. They all work together to make it a great school! Close Quote


by a student
Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Open Quote They have nice new buildings and some good teachers. However, the superintendent lacks transparency in the administration. The school also puts a higher level of importance on extra curricular activities than it does on advancing the students' intelligence. There are plenty of good teachers, but they are not always the most effective. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, December 11, 2014

Open Quote Poor leadership at top- superintendent, as well as school board itself// not transparent with many of going on in school Close Quote



Enrollment information for Independence Junior Senior 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 507 2 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 512
1989 456 2 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 463
1990 496 2 2 6 0 n/a n/a 0 506
1991 493 2 4 4 1 n/a n/a 0 504
1992 514 0 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 520
1993 555 2 3 6 1 n/a n/a 0 567
1994 555 2 6 4 1 n/a n/a 0 568
1995 554 1 7 3 1 n/a n/a 0 566
1996 554 1 7 3 1 n/a n/a 0 566
1997 555 0 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 565
1998 563 0 7 4 0 n/a n/a 0 574
1999 564 0 5 5 0 n/a n/a 0 574
2000 579 1 3 7 1 n/a n/a 0 591
2001 556 3 4 5 0 n/a n/a 0 568
2002 538 1 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 546
2003 538 1 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 546
2004 535 4 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 549
2005 520 2 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 530
2006 525 2 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 532
2007 511 2 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 520
2008 502 3 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 513
2009 452 4 5 2 1 n/a n/a 0 464
2010 432 1 6 4 1 0 1 0 445
2011 396 2 2 5 1 0 1 0 407
2012 576 2 10 23 2 0 7 0 620
2013 594 5 8 27 1 0 7 0 642
2014 582 8 9 18 1 0 10 0 628
2015 611 10 8 17 1 0 9 0 656
2016 637 6 6 14 0 0 13 0 676
2017 643 4 3 16 1 0 12 0 679
2018 667 9 3 13 0 2 9 0 703
2019 659 7 6 14 0 0 13 0 699
2020 641 4 4 17 0 0 9 0 675
2021 655 4 3 19 0 0 9 0 690
2022 680 4 1 20 0 0 17 0 722
2023 650 2 2 26 0 0 21 0 701

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 Independence Junior Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 512 33.3 15.3 19.5
1989 463 33.5 13.8 15.1
1990 506 36.4 13.9 13.2
1991 504 36.4 13.8 13.9
1992 520 37.0 14.0 12.7
1993 567 37.4 15.2 12.5
1994 568 39.6 14.3 11.6
1995 566 39.3 14.4 7.8
1996 566 39.3 14.4 7.8
1997 565 36.7 15.4 12.9
1998 574 38.3 15.0 12.9
1999 574 36.3 15.8 16.9
2000 591 38.9 15.2 17.4
2001 568 40.8 13.9 15.5
2002 546 40.4 13.5 24.4
2003 546 40.4 13.5 24.4
2004 549 41.4 13.3 22.8
2005 530 41.5 12.8 23.6
2006 532 35.5 15.0 24.1
2007 520 34.5 15.1 24.6
2008 513 38.4 13.4 24.6
2009 464 36.3 12.8 25.2
2010 445 37.0 12.0 28.3
2011 407 35.0 11.6 30.5
2012 620 47.5 13.0 36.8
2013 642 48.4 13.2 31.6
2014 628 49.0 12.7 32.8
2015 656 49.0 13.3 32.3
2016 676 46.0 14.6 28.4
2017 679 48.4 14.0 30.9
2018 703 47.5 14.7 35.6
2019 699 48.5 14.3 31.5
2020 675 47.4 14.2 29.8
2021 690 46.0 14.9 35.2
2022 722 45.5 15.8 31.2
2023 701 46.6 15.0 32.1

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 Independence Junior Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 512 33.3 15.3 19.5
1989 463 33.5 13.8 15.1
1990 506 36.4 13.9 13.2
1991 504 36.4 13.8 13.9
1992 520 37.0 14.0 12.7
1993 567 37.4 15.2 12.5
1994 568 39.6 14.3 11.6
1995 566 39.3 14.4 7.8
1996 566 39.3 14.4 7.8
1997 565 36.7 15.4 12.9
1998 574 38.3 15.0 12.9
1999 574 36.3 15.8 16.9
2000 591 38.9 15.2 17.4
2001 568 40.8 13.9 15.5
2002 546 40.4 13.5 24.4
2003 546 40.4 13.5 24.4
2004 549 41.4 13.3 22.8
2005 530 41.5 12.8 23.6
2006 532 35.5 15.0 24.1
2007 520 34.5 15.1 24.6
2008 513 38.4 13.4 24.6
2009 464 36.3 12.8 25.2
2010 445 37.0 12.0 28.3
2011 407 35.0 11.6 30.5
2012 620 47.5 13.0 36.8
2013 642 48.4 13.2 31.6
2014 628 49.0 12.7 32.8
2015 656 49.0 13.3 32.3
2016 676 46.0 14.6 28.4
2017 679 48.4 14.0 30.9
2018 703 47.5 14.7 35.6
2019 699 48.5 14.3 31.5
2020 675 47.4 14.2 29.8
2021 690 46.0 14.9 35.2
2022 722 45.5 15.8 31.2
2023 701 46.6 15.0 32.1

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 Independence Junior Senior High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $579 (3.7%) $15,121 (96.3%) $15,700

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Independence Junior Senior 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 166th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 181st of 334 Middle schools
 5.7%
Ranks 114th of 327 High schoolsRanks 42nd of 336 High schools
 22.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Junior Senior High School)67.766.3
 1.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)67.766.3
 1.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Independence Junior Senior High School)78.574.4
 4.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)78.574.4
 4.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Junior Senior High School)65.174.5
 9.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)65.174.5
 9.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Independence Junior Senior High School)76.477.3
 0.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)76.477.3
 0.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Junior Senior High School)7588
 13%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)7588
 13%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)74.372.9
 1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Independence Junior Senior High School)68.985.5
 16.6%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)68.985.5
 16.6%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)67.167
 0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Junior Senior High School)82.184.8
 2.7%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)82.184.8
 2.7%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)71.468.7
 2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Independence Junior Senior High School)78.885.7
 6.9%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)78.885.7
 6.9%
   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 Students699701
 0.3%
African American72
 71.4%
American Indian00
Asian62
 66.7%
Hispanic1426
 85.7%
Pacific Islander00
White659650
 1.4%
Two or More Races1321
 61.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients31.5%32.1%
 0.6%


Schools Near Independence Junior Senior High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Independence Junior Senior High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 701 students attended Independence Junior Senior High School.

Independence Junior Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : East Elementary School
Elementary : West Elementary School

Students at Independence Junior Senior High School are 93% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

Independence Junior Senior High School ranks 113th of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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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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