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Very Good

#294 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 23% in state

Alexander Elementary

Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District

3571 Sycamore St., Iowa City, IA 52240

Enrollment

363

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#294 of 1,280

In Iowa City

#2 of 17

public schools

In district

#5 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Alexander Elementary

7.8/10

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

Grant Wood Elementary School

6.2/10

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

Faith Academy

7.2/10

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

About Alexander Elementary

Alexander Elementary is a public elementary school in Iowa City, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. Alexander Elementary serves approximately 363 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Alexander Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #294 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Alexander Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Alexander Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Alexander Elementary 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 Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change+1.21 pts/yr
Data Period2015–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.9% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-24.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391
Chronic Absenteeism21.8%

Alexander Elementary — Students at Alexander Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 49.6% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 23 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2015
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
51.9%
ELA
54.4%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Alexander Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
77th percentile in IA
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

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

3571 Sycamore St., Iowa City, IA 52240

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alexander Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Herbert Hoover Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mark Twain Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Iowa City, see our Iowa City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 0.9 mi 6.2
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 1.3 mi 7.2
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 1.5 mi 7.5
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 1.6 mi 2.2
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 1.8 mi 5.3
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 2.2 mi 5.9
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 2.2 mi 7.1
Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City 2.3 mi 5.6
Iowa City High School Iowa City 2.6 mi 4.8
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 3.1 mi 6.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 3.1 mi 6.4
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 3.2 mi 7.6
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City 3.1 mi 5.8
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 2.9 mi 8.2
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 4.0 mi 4.0
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 3.3 mi 5.3
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City 4.1 mi 7.4
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 3.7 mi 6.6
Hills Elementary School Hills 4.9 mi 5.8
West Senior High School Iowa City 4.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,189

Median Home Value

$241,100

Median Rent

$1,065/mo

Population

36,046

College Educated

46.6%

Homeownership

50.9%

Avg Commute

17.4 min

Poverty Rate

26.2%

Median Age

28.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden, IA 7.8
Center Point-Urbana Primary School Center Point, IA 7.8
Creston Elementary School Creston, IA 7.8
Davis Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.8
Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton, IA 7.8
Franklin Elementary School Le Mars, IA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alexander Elementary

What grades does Alexander Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Alexander Elementary?

Alexander Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alexander Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Alexander Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alexander Elementary rank in IA?

Alexander Elementary ranks #294 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Alexander Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Alexander Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Alexander Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alexander Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

Is Alexander Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Alexander Elementary a Title I school?

No, Alexander Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

70.5% of students at Alexander Elementary 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
5 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Johnson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

District

Iowa City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,776
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#5 of 29

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