The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Choice Charter Schools
Choice Charter Schools is a small public charter district in Hardin County, Iowa, operating as a full-time virtual school for high school students. Founded around 2021, it was created to serve students who have not succeeded in traditional brick-and-mortar settings, offering flexible scheduling, industry credentials, and a mentorship program. The district consists of a single school, and it is authorized by the Iowa Department of Education as an independent charter district.
State testing data, reported for grades 3 through 8, shows that overall proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science fall in the bottom quartile among Hardin County’s districts. The participation rate in those tests was notably under the typical level for a traditional public school, which may reflect the virtual model and the population it serves. A parent considering this district may want to ask the school directly how it measures academic progress given the low testing participation. Because the school is designed for students who have struggled elsewhere, these proficiency numbers may not tell the full story of individual growth or the alternative pathways the school provides.
Enrollment is modest. The student body is largely White, with smaller shares of Hispanic and Black students. Information on economic disadvantage, special education, and English learner status was not available from the data provided. The district serves only high school grades, and publicly reported information indicates it also includes grades 7 and 8, though the official enrollment data here covers only grades 9 through 12.
A reported strength is that the chronic absenteeism rate stands at zero percent, which places it in the top quartile among Hardin County’s districts. This is an unusual finding, and it likely reflects the virtual attendance structure. It suggests that enrolled students are reliably logging in and participating in their courses, which is a positive sign for a school built around flexible, at-home learning.
No data was available on graduation rates, per-pupil spending, or course access. The district’s founding as a new virtual charter is the most significant recent change noted. The community context for the district is not provided in the data, so it is unclear which towns or areas families are coming from, though the district is located within Hardin County.
For a family, this district is not a conventional high school. It is an alternative public option for students who need a schedule that accommodates work, health, family responsibilities, or a past disconnection from school. The academic test results are low relative to surrounding districts, but that comparison may be less meaningful given the school’s mission. Parents should explore how the school tracks progress toward graduation, what industry credentials are available, and how the mentorship program works in practice. The district offers a clear alternative: a fully online public high school with a nontraditional structure, a low absentee rate, and a design that meets students where they are rather than requiring them to fit a standard school day.
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