Cerro Gordo County Schools & Education
Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
56/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
87.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,682
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
56/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 61/100
State Score Position
#71
of 99 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Cerro Gordo County
Measured School Summary
Cerro Gordo County performs at an average level with a school score of 56/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.7%.
Funding Context
Cerro Gordo County spends $8,682 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 4.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 14% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Cerro Gordo County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
13 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
56/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #71 of 99 Iowa counties with school score data.
Completion
87.7%
4.6 pts below the state average
Funding context
$8,682
$1,091 above the state average
School coverage
13
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Cerro Gordo County has 13 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Cerro Gordo County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Dominant-district county
Mason City Comm School District carries most of the listed public-school system, with 9 of 13 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#71
of 99 Iowa counties with school score data. The county score is 5 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Mason City Comm School District
Elementary to high school visible
3,526 students
9 listed schools in this county slice.
Clear Lake Comm School District
Elementary to high school visible
1,480 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
West Fork Comm School District
Elementary school only in this slice
415 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
Mason City Comm School District is the largest listed district slice, with 9 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Cerro Gordo County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Cerro Gordo County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Cerro Gordo's Education Infrastructure
Cerro Gordo County supports 5,421 students across 13 public schools organized into three main districts. The system includes six elementary, three middle, and three high schools to serve the regional population. This robust framework provides a solid foundation for youth across the county.
Leading Districts in Cerro Gordo
Mason City Community School District is the county's largest, managing nine schools and serving ,3526 students. Clear Lake Community School District follows, providing education for 1,480 students across three facilities. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county's public system.
A Town-Centric Learning Environment
Education here primarily takes place in town settings, which account for 11 of the 13 schools. Mason City High School is the largest campus with 956 students, while the average school size across the county is 417 students. This structure offers a centralized learning experience compared to more isolated rural districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
13
in Cerro Gordo County
Reported Enrollment
5,421
13 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Cerro Gordo County
Mason City Comm School District
GuideClear Lake Comm School District
West Fork Comm School District
13 Public Schools in Cerro Gordo County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 13 of 13 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City High School | Profile | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | 9–12 | High | 956 |
| Clear Creek Elementary School | Record | Clear Lake Comm School District | Clear Lake, 50428Town: Remote | PK–5 | Primary | 688 |
| John Adams Middle School | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | 7–8 | Middle | 480 |
| Lincoln Intermediate | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | 5–6 | Middle | 468 |
| Clear Lake High School | Record | Clear Lake Comm School District | Clear Lake, 50428Town: Remote | 9–12 | High | 458 |
| West Fork Elementary at Rockwell | Record | West Fork Comm School District | Rockwell, 50469Rural: Distant | PK–5 | Primary | 415 |
| Harding Elementary School | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | PK–4 | Primary | 380 |
| Hoover Elementary School | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Rural: Fringe | PK–4 | Primary | 375 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | PK–4 | Primary | 357 |
| Clear Lake Middle School | Record | Clear Lake Comm School District | Clear Lake, 50428Town: Remote | 6–8 | Middle | 334 |
| Jefferson Elementary School | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | PK–4 | Primary | 317 |
| Mason City Virtual Academy | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | KG–12 | Virtual | 99 |
| Alternative School | Record | Mason City Comm School District | Mason City, 50401Town: Remote | 9–12 | Alternative | 94 |
Mason City High School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Clear Creek Elementary School
Clear Lake Comm School District
Clear Lake, 50428 / Town: Remote
John Adams Middle School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Lincoln Intermediate
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Clear Lake High School
Clear Lake Comm School District
Clear Lake, 50428 / Town: Remote
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell
West Fork Comm School District
Rockwell, 50469 / Rural: Distant
Harding Elementary School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Hoover Elementary School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Rural: Fringe
Roosevelt Elementary School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Clear Lake Middle School
Clear Lake Comm School District
Clear Lake, 50428 / Town: Remote
Jefferson Elementary School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Mason City Virtual Academy
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Alternative School
Mason City Comm School District
Mason City, 50401 / Town: Remote
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,682
State avg $7,591
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Cerro Gordo County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Iowa counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Iowa?
How should I read the school score in Cerro Gordo County?
What is the graduation rate in Cerro Gordo County?
How much does Cerro Gordo County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa?
Cerro Gordo County supports 5,421 students across 13 public schools organized into three main districts. The system includes six elementary, three middle, and three high schools to serve the regional population. This robust framework provides a solid foundation for youth across the county.
What are the major school districts in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa?
Mason City Community School District is the county's largest, managing nine schools and serving ,3526 students. Clear Lake Community School District follows, providing education for 1,480 students across three facilities. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county's public system.
What is the school experience like in Cerro Gordo County?
Education here primarily takes place in town settings, which account for 11 of the 13 schools. Mason City High School is the largest campus with 956 students, while the average school size across the county is 417 students. This structure offers a centralized learning experience compared to more isolated rural districts.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.