The State of Iowa has started a new way to rate schools. Designed to show how each public school is performing on educational measures. The system has six possible ratings for each school, exceptional, high-performing, commendable, acceptable, needs improvement and priority. WACO High School received a High-Performing. Mid-Prairie and Sigourney high schools are Commendable. Acceptable ratings went to Highland, Lone Tree, and Winfield-Mt. Union high schools. Columbus Community received a Priority rating.

The ratings are based on proficiency, college and career-ready growth, annual expected growth, closing achievement gap, graduation rate, attendance and staff retention.