Very Good
#422 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 33% 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
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Iowa City
#5 of 16
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#264 of 662
In district
#8 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Alexander Elementary
Alexander Elementary, located in Iowa City, Iowa, serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 363 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to each child. The dedicated staff includes 28 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to foster a nurturing learning environment.
Academically, Alexander Elementary has room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and state ranking at #764 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (41st percentile). The school’s academic performance shows that 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 50% in math, and 41% in science. These scores suggest areas where the school is focusing on student development to improve overall proficiency rates.
Alexander Elementary is situated in a rural area near a town, providing students with a peaceful setting that encourages learning and community engagement. The neighborhood around the school, while not extensively detailed, offers a close-knit atmosphere typical of rural communities, fostering strong relationships between families, teachers, and local residents.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Alexander Elementary 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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Alexander Elementary — Students at Alexander Elementary score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 7.6/10.
How Alexander Elementary Compares
See how Alexander Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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. Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Herbert Hoover Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FAITH ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 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 | 6.1 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Southeast Junior High School Iowa City | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Iowa City High School Iowa City | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City | 2.9 mi | 7.6 |
| ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City | 4.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 3.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Hills Elementary School Hills | 4.9 mi | 4.6 |
| West Senior High School Iowa City | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alexander Elementary has a median household income of $55,189. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,100, with a median rent of $1,065/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Hoover Elementary School Mason City, IA | 7.0 |
| Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum, IA | 7.0 |
| Odebolt Elementary-Ida Grove Ida Grove, IA | 7.0 |
| Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City, IA | 7.0 |
| West Monona Elementary Onawa, IA | 7.0 |
| Wilkins Elementary School Marion, IA | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #422 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Alexander Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Alexander Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Alexander Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alexander Elementary has 50.1% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 5 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 17 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 39 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,000/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Iowa City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (319) 688-1095
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #8 of 29
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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