Southeast Polk Comm School District

Southeast Polk Comm School District is a rural district in Polk County, Iowa, serving 7,231 students across 11 schools with 464 teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. The district experienced a 1.6% enrollment decline from the prior year, reflecting broader demographic trends in rural areas.

Academically, Southeast Polk performs above state averages in core subjects. Math proficiency stands at 75.4% compared to the state average of 73.1%, while reading proficiency reaches 77.0% against a state average of 75.2%. The graduation rate of 94.1% exceeds Iowa's state average of 91.5%. Chronic absenteeism at 13.8% represents an area of concern relative to the district's overall performance.

The student population reflects significant economic and linguistic diversity. Approximately 40.2% of students qualify as economically disadvantaged, 6.4% are English learners, and 13.9% receive special education services. Racial composition is 69.8% White, 11.5% Black, 12.3% Hispanic, and 2.9% Asian.

Financially, Southeast Polk operates at a notable disadvantage compared to state benchmarks. Per-pupil spending of $7,041 falls substantially below the state average of $9,131, a difference of approximately $2,090 per student annually. The district's $108.4M budget relies heavily on state funding at 53.4%, with 37.8% from local sources and 8.8% from federal funds, creating potential constraints on resource allocation and program expansion.