Independence Comm School District

Independence, Iowa — 4 schools

1,496
Total Enrollment
4
Schools
$14,430
Per-Pupil Spending
Other, Elementary
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Independence Comm School District operates 4 public schools serving 1,496 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Iowa. The school portfolio breaks down into 2 other, 2 elementary schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 1,383 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Buchanan County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $14,430 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, which aggregates every revenue and spending line reported under federal accounting standards. The funding mix is 37.9% local, 50.7% state, and 11.4% federal — a breakdown that matters because districts leaning heavily on local revenue are more exposed to property-tax swings, while higher federal shares typically track Title I concentration. Average teacher compensation clocks in at $77,042 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 39/100, ranked #213 of 303 in Iowa against a state average of 50 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

Academic infrastructure includes 1 of 4 schools offering Advanced Placement (2 AP courses district-wide), a 327:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 19.1% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 92.0% White, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% African American across the district's schools.

Independence Junior Senior High School accounts for 51.5% of all Independence Comm School District student enrollment

That concentration — well above the 8.4% national median for largest-entity share — means Independence Comm School District-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the dominant entity. Grade band: other. A single dominant campus often anchors a district's program offerings and staffing patterns; the share helps explain why district-wide averages may not reflect the typical neighbourhood-school experience. When one entity dominates a region's footprint, its programmatic and budget decisions effectively set policy for a majority of the affected population.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Independence Comm School District school enrollment varies 15× across entities

Independence Comm School District school enrollment ranges from 46 students (lowest) to 712 students (highest), a spread of 666 students. That spread reflects typical mixed-portfolio variation between specialty programs and large neighbourhood schools. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Independence Comm School District student-counselor ratio is 327:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment — districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Independence Comm School District is typically wider than the Independence Comm School District-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Independence Comm School District chronic absenteeism rate is 19.1% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason — illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Independence Comm School District is typically wider than the Independence Comm School District-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

11.4%
Federal
50.7%
State
37.9%
Local

Funding Equity

39
Equity Score
213 / 303
State Rank
50
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Local Rent Costs

Fair Market Rents in Buchanan County county, where this district is located.

$713
Studio/mo
$718
1 BR/mo
$942
2 BR/mo
$1,281
3 BR/mo
$1,468
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$77,042
Average annual teacher salary

Source: NCES CCD F-33 (Finance Survey).

Teacher salary data from NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 4 schools in Independence Comm School District.

White 92.0%
Hispanic or Latino 2.9%
African American 0.6%
Multiracial 4.3%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

1 / 4
Schools with AP
2 AP courses total
327:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
19.1%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Independence Comm School District

School Enrollment
Independence Junior Senior High School
712
West Elementary School
360
East Elementary School
265
Early Childhood Center
46

Nearby Districts in Iowa

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Independence Comm School District?

Independence Comm School District has 4 schools, including 2 other, 2 elementary. Total enrollment is 1,496 students.

How much does Independence Comm School District spend per student?

Independence Comm School District spends $14,430 per student. The district has an equity score of 39/100, ranking #213 in Iowa.

What is the average teacher salary in Independence Comm School District?

The average teacher salary in Independence Comm School District is $77,042 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near Independence Comm School District?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Buchanan County County is $N/A/month (2026). This affects housing affordability for families in the district.

What is the demographic composition of Independence Comm School District?

Independence Comm School District students are 92.0% White, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% African American, averaged across 4 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Independence Comm School District?

Independence Comm School District has an equity score of 39/100, ranking #213 out of 303 districts in Iowa. This score measures resource distribution fairness across schools in the district.

Federal data Last updated 2026 Free public data

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