Excellent
#44 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 3% 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
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#44 of 1,280
In Alta
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 4
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Alta Elementary School
Elementary School in Alta · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Alta-aurelia High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Storm Lake Early Elementary School
3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Alta Elementary School
Alta Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alta, IA, part of Alta-Aurelia Comm School District. Alta Elementary School serves approximately 267 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Alta Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #44 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Alta Elementary School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.9 · Excellent
- District avg 8.7
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Alta Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Alta Elementary School — Students at Alta Elementary School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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), with a very similar rating. Another option is Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sioux Central Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), a more accessible option. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bridgeview Elementary School Leclaire, IA | 8.9 |
| East Union Elementary Afton, IA | 8.9 |
| Hinton Elementary School Hinton, IA | 8.9 |
| South Hamilton Elem Jewell, IA | 8.9 |
| Earlham Elementary School Earlham, IA | 8.8 |
| George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock, IA | 8.8 |
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 ranks #44 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Alta Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Alta Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Alta Elementary School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.7%
- Phone
- (712) 200-1400
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
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