Average
#498 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 39% in state
Altoona Elementary
Elementary School · Southeast Polk Comm School District
301 6th St SW, Altoona, IA 50009
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altoona
#1 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#305 of 662
In district
#2 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Altoona Elementary
Altoona Elementary serves 423 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in this thriving suburban community in Polk County, Iowa. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking #112 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.
Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and an impressive 82% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in Mathematics. Altoona Elementary is situated in a prosperous suburban neighborhood where the median household income reaches $91,207 and the median home value is $250,000. The surrounding community of over 21,000 residents reflects a commitment to education, with 34% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 5.9%, contributing to a stable learning environment. Located at 301 6th Street SW, Altoona Elementary operates within a large suburban setting that combines the benefits of community feel with access to broader educational and recreational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Altoona Elementary — Students at Altoona Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.2%
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
→ 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: 4.9/10.
How Altoona Elementary Compares
See how Altoona Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
301 6th St SW, Altoona, IA 50009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Altoona Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Centennial Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Anderson Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Delaware Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Altoona, see our Altoona schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 3.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant | 4.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 4.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 3.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 4.0 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,393
Median Home Value
$261,800
Median Rent
$1,201/mo
Population
21,992
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
70.3%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Altoona Elementary has a median household income of $90,393. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,800, with a median rent of $1,201/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Broadway Elementary School Denison, IA | 6.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown, IA | 6.8 |
| Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.8 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.8 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Altoona Elementary
What grades does Altoona Elementary serve?
Altoona Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Altoona Elementary?
Altoona Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Altoona Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Altoona Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Altoona Elementary rank in IA?
Altoona Elementary is ranked #498 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Altoona Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Altoona Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Altoona Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Altoona Elementary has 81.5% math proficiency and 76.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Altoona Elementary a charter school?
No, Altoona Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Altoona Elementary a Title I school?
No, Altoona Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Altoona Elementary?
53.2% of students at Altoona 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
- City Safety
- High (2,154/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Altoona). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 423
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 967-3771
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #2 of 11
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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