Harlan Community Schools outperform state in 2025 Iowa School Performance Profile

HARLAN — The Harlan Community School District continues to demonstrate excellence across multiple measures in the recently released 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles, significantly outperforming state averages in key academic and readiness indicators.According to the Iowa Department of Education report, Harlan students achieved strong results in core academic areas: Math proficiency: 77.21% (State average: 70.93%) English Language Arts proficiency: 78.04% (State average: 73.56%) Science proficiency: 68.44% (State average: 67.14%)These results reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to high-quality instruction and continuous improvement across all grade levels.Dr. Jenny Barnett is particularly happy with Harlan’s graduation rate as it stands out as a point of pride. The district’s rate of 95.54% surpasses the state average of 88.27%, demonstrating the dedication of students, staff, and families to ensuring every learner reaches the finish line. Additionally, chronic absenteeism in Harlan is below the state average, reflecting strong student engagement and support systems that keep students connected to school.All Harlan Community School District buildings performed well, with all schools scoring in the “Commendable” category on the state’s performance profiles. The high school was designated as “Acceptable” this year, due to a targeted focus on the performance of students with disabilities (specialeducation). This designation is based on a cut score using growth within scores of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in math, reading, and science. The district is actively working to provide targeted supports to ensure continued growth and success for all students.One of the most notable highlights of this year’s performance report is Harlan’s exceptional results on the Postsecondary Readiness Index—a measure of how well students are prepared for life after high school, whether in college, career, or military pathways. Harlan’s overall postsecondary readiness score of 64.22 far exceeds the state average of 45.00, reflecting the district’s strong emphasis on work-based learning opportunities and career-connected experiences.In addition, the district’s college credit readiness score—which measures how many students earn college credit before graduation— was an impressive 88.35, compared to the state average of 70.03.“These results are a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Jenny Barnett.“Our focus on engaging instruction, strong relationships, and real-world learning experiences is helping students thrive not only in the classroom but beyond graduation. We’re proud of our continued growth and the collective effort that makes Harlan Community Schools THE destination district.”The district’s performance reflects its strategic focus on cultivating a culture of excellence, shared leadership, and strong partnerships with families and the community. Harlan Community Schools remains committed to providing every student with the academic foundation and real-world experiences needed for success in college, career, and life.