Excellent
#55 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 4% in state
Alta Elementary School
Elementary School · Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
1009 South Main Street, Alta, IA 51002
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alta
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#48 of 662
In district
#2 of 4
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Alta Elementary School
Alta Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alta, IA, part of the Alta-Aurelia Comm School District. The school serves approximately 267 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 95.8th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 75% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 74% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $69,375, where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Alta 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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Alta Elementary School — Students at Alta Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 9.5/10.
How Alta Elementary School Compares
See how Alta Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
1009 South Main Street, Alta, IA 51002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alta Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Schaller-Crestland Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Schaller), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Storm Lake Early Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Storm Lake), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Alta, see our Alta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,375
Median Home Value
$145,300
Median Rent
$918/mo
Population
2,866
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
81.6%
Avg Commute
17.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alta Elementary School has a median household income of $69,375. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,300, with a median rent of $918/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Anson Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 8.3 |
| Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins, IA | 8.3 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 8.3 |
| Nixon Elementary School Hiawatha, IA | 8.3 |
| North Elementary School Leon, IA | 8.3 |
| Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton, IA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alta Elementary School
What grades does Alta Elementary School serve?
Alta Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Alta Elementary School?
Alta Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 267 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Alta Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alta Elementary School rank in IA?
Alta Elementary School is ranked #55 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Alta Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Alta Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alta Elementary School has 75.4% math proficiency and 74.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alta Elementary School a charter school?
No, Alta Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alta Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Alta Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta Elementary School?
38.6% of students at Alta 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 267
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Buena Vista County
- Phone
- (712) 200-1400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 822
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,724
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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