Skip to main content

Very Good

#270 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 21% 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

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#183 of 662

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Alden Elementary School

Alden Elementary School is a charming rural school in Alden, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 159 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated faculty consists of 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support academic growth in their small community.

Alden Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at number 620 among the state’s 1,288 schools. Academically, students perform well in ELA and math, with 72% and 73% proficiency rates respectively, while science scores show room for improvement at 54%. Despite these statistics, the school continues to focus on student development and community engagement.

The setting of Alden Elementary School is idyllic, nestled in a rural area that offers a close-knit community atmosphere. The school’s location provides students with access to nature and a supportive neighborhood environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 159 students, Alden Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Alden Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,078

Alden Elementary School — Students at Alden Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

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 73.4%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
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: 8.2/10.

How Alden Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
79th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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 8.9/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Latimer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rock Run Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Iowa Falls), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Hamilton Elem (rated 7.9/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Jewell), 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 4.6
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls 5.2 mi 5.5
Riverbend Middle School Iowa Falls 5.2 mi 6.4
Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls 5.5 mi 8.1
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 14.2 mi 7.6
South Hardin Middle School Hubbard 15.3 mi 7.4
CAL Elementary School Latimer 16.2 mi 8.9
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 5.6
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 18.3 mi 5.6
North Side Elementary School Hampton 18.3 mi 6.4
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 18.4 mi 6.6
South Hardin High School Eldora 17.2 mi 7.9
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora 17.7 mi 7.3
The Cougars Den Ackley 16.5 mi 7.6
AGWSR Elementary School Ackley 16.6 mi 5.3
AGWSR High School Ackley 16.6 mi 7.8
South Hamilton Elem Jewell 20.4 mi 7.9
South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell 20.4 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alden Elementary School has a median household income of $62,188. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,200, with a median rent of $577/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fremont Elementary Fremont, IA 7.4
Keota Elementary School Keota, IA 7.4
Marnie Simons Elementary School Hamburg, IA 7.4
SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine, IA 7.4
Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus, IA 7.5
Johnson Elementary Spencer, IA 7.5

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 is ranked #270 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Alden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alden Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alden Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alden Elementary School has 73.4% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Average (436/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.