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
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Alden Elementary School — Students at Alden Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (515) 859-3393
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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