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Excellent

#152 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 12% in state

Alden Elementary School

Elementary School · Alden Comm School District

PO BOX 48 209 Center Street, Alden, IA 50006

Enrollment

159

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#152 of 1,280

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Alden Elementary School

8.2/10

Elementary School in Alden · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pineview Elementary

5.2/10

4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Iowa Falls - Alden High School

5.3/10

5.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alden Elementary School

Alden Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alden, IA, part of Alden Comm School District. Alden Elementary School serves approximately 159 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Alden Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #152 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Alden Elementary School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 159 students, Alden Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Alden Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.6% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)76% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,654
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Alden Elementary School — Students at Alden Elementary School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 71.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
80.6%
ELA
74.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How Alden Elementary School Compares

See how Alden Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in IA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 48 209 Center Street, Alden, IA 50006

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alden Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CAL Elementary School (rated 9.7/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Latimer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rock Run Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Iowa Falls), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Radcliffe), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Alden, see our Alden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls 4.8 mi 5.2
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls 5.2 mi 5.3
Riverbend Middle School Iowa Falls 5.2 mi 7.4
Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls 5.5 mi 9.1
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 14.2 mi 9.1
South Hardin Middle School Hubbard 15.3 mi 7.0
CAL Elementary School Latimer 16.2 mi 9.7
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 17.1 mi 6.5
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City 13.9 mi 4.8
South Side Elementary School Hampton 17.5 mi 5.3
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 18.3 mi 4.9
North Side Elementary School Hampton 18.3 mi 5.7
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 18.4 mi 5.1
South Hardin High School Eldora 17.2 mi 6.7
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora 17.7 mi 6.6
The Cougars Den Ackley 16.5 mi 8.1
AGWSR Elementary School Ackley 16.6 mi 5.8
AGWSR High School Ackley 16.6 mi 5.2
South Hamilton Elem Jewell 20.4 mi 8.9
South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell 20.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,188

Median Home Value

$117,200

Median Rent

$577/mo

Population

1,503

College Educated

15.5%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

41.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr Mechanicsville, IA 8.2
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside, IA 8.1
Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA 8.1
Kingsley Elementary School Kingsley, IA 8.1
Mapleton Elementary School Mapleton, IA 8.1
Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction, IA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alden Elementary School

What grades does Alden Elementary School serve?

Alden Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Alden Elementary School?

Alden Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alden Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alden Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alden Elementary School rank in IA?

Alden Elementary School ranks #152 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Alden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alden Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alden Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alden Elementary School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Alden Elementary School a charter school?

No, Alden Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alden Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Alden Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alden Elementary School?

35.2% of students at Alden Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hardin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

District

Alden Comm School District
District Enrollment
159
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,654
District Rank
#1 of 1

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