Marion Independent School District

Marion, Iowa — 5 schools

2,229
Total Enrollment
5
Schools
$18,209
Per-Pupil Spending
Elementary, High
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Marion Independent School District operates 5 public schools serving 2,229 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Iowa. The school portfolio breaks down into 3 elementary, 1 high, 1 other schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 2,163 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Linn County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $18,209 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 47.7% local, 43.1% state, and 9.2% 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 $84,191 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 59/100, ranked #113 of 303 in Iowa against a state average of 50 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

Academic infrastructure includes 1 of 5 schools offering Advanced Placement (8 AP courses district-wide), a 302.8:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 25.0% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 78.1% White, 6.6% African American, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino across the district's schools.

Marion High School accounts for 34.0% of all Marion Independent School District student enrollment

That concentration — well above the 8.4% national median for largest-entity share — means Marion Independent School District-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the dominant entity. Grade band: high. 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

Marion Independent School District school enrollment varies 2.9× across entities

Marion Independent School District school enrollment ranges from 254 students (lowest) to 735 students (highest), a spread of 481 students. That relatively narrow ratio reflects an unusually homogeneous campus portfolio — most districts have a wider mix of school sizes. 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

Marion Independent School District student-counselor ratio is 303:1 — 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 Marion Independent School District is typically wider than the Marion Independent School District-aggregate figure suggests.

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

Marion Independent School District chronic absenteeism rate is 25.0% — 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 Marion Independent School District is typically wider than the Marion Independent 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?

9.2%
Federal
43.1%
State
47.7%
Local

Funding Equity

59
Equity Score
113 / 303
State Rank
50
State Average

This district has moderate funding equity. There may be room to improve funding diversity or resource allocation.

Local Rent Costs

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

$738
Studio/mo
$816
1 BR/mo
$1,071
2 BR/mo
$1,490
3 BR/mo
$1,797
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$84,191
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 5 schools in Marion Independent School District.

White 78.1%
Hispanic or Latino 5.6%
African American 6.6%
Multiracial 9.0%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

1 / 5
Schools with AP
8 AP courses total
302.8:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
25.0%
Chronically Absent

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

Schools in Marion Independent School District

School Enrollment
Marion High School
735
Vernon Middle School
587
Francis Marion Intermediate School
320
Starry Elementary School
267
Longfellow Elementary
254

Nearby Districts in Iowa

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Compare Marion Independent School District

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Marion Independent School District?

Marion Independent School District has 5 schools, including 1 high, 3 elementary, 1 other. Total enrollment is 2,229 students.

How much does Marion Independent School District spend per student?

Marion Independent School District spends $18,209 per student. The district has an equity score of 59/100, ranking #113 in Iowa.

What is the average teacher salary in Marion Independent School District?

The average teacher salary in Marion Independent School District is $84,191 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near Marion Independent School District?

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

What is the demographic composition of Marion Independent School District?

Marion Independent School District students are 78.1% White, 6.6% African American, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Asian, averaged across 5 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Marion Independent School District?

Marion Independent School District has an equity score of 59/100, ranking #113 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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Federal

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