For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 1,599 students in Cerro Gordo County, IA.
The top ranked public high schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA are Clear Lake High School, Alternative School and Mason City High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cerro Gordo County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in Cerro Gordo County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public high schools.
Cerro Gordo County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the Iowa average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Clear Lake High School, with 90-94% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Cerro Gordo County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Clear Lake High School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
125 N 20th St
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5235
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5235
Grades: 9-12
| 458 students
Rank: #22.
Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
19 N. Illinois Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #33.
Mason City High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1700 4th St. Se
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4431
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4431
Grades: 9-12
| 967 students
Rank: #44.
Mason City Virtual Academy
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1515 S Pennsylvania Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4401
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4401
Grades: 7-12
| 82 students
Cerro Gordo County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
306 S 8th St
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-2174
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-2174
Grades: 1-2
| 200 students
2620 South Jefferson Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4413
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4413
Grades: PK
| n/a students
100 5th St N Po Box 150
Thornton, IA 50479
(641) 998-2315
Thornton, IA 50479
(641) 998-2315
Grades: 5-8
| 130 students
100 5th St N Po Box 150
Thornton, IA 50479
(641) 998-2315
Thornton, IA 50479
(641) 998-2315
Grades: 5-8
| 130 students
210 S 2nd St
Rockwell, IA 50469
(641) 822-3234
Rockwell, IA 50469
(641) 822-3234
Grades: 7-12
| 171 students
1625 South Pennsylvania Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4423
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4423
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
100 5th St North
Thornton, IA 50479
(641) 998-2315
Thornton, IA 50479
(641) 998-2315
Grades: 5-8
| 128 students
408 Mars Hill Drive
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5288
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5288
Grades: PK
| 123 students
408 Mars Hill Dr
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-6171
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-6171
Grades: PK-K
| 187 students
300 S. Main Street, 300 S. Mai
Ventura, IA 50482
(641) 829-4482
Ventura, IA 50482
(641) 829-4482
Grades: K-6
| 81 students
110 South Main St
Ventura, IA 50482
(641) 829-4484
Ventura, IA 50482
(641) 829-4484
Grades: 6-12
| 178 students
110 S. Main Street, 110 S. Mai
Ventura, IA 50482
(641) 829-4484
Ventura, IA 50482
(641) 829-4484
Grades: 7-8
| 151 students
700 North Washington Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4418
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4418
Grades: PK
| n/a students
210 South 2nd St
Rockwell, IA 50469
(641) 822-3233
Rockwell, IA 50469
(641) 822-3233
Grades: PK-4
| 157 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA?
The top ranked public high schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA include Clear Lake High School, Alternative School and Mason City High School.
How many public high schools are located in Cerro Gordo County?
4 public high schools are located in Cerro Gordo County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cerro Gordo County?
Cerro Gordo County public high schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Cerro Gordo County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Cerro Gordo County include: Mason City High School vs. Clear Lake High School, Clear Lake High School vs. Mason City High School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.