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Average

#1024 of 1,280 schools in IA

Aurora Heights Elementary School

Elementary School · Newton Comm School District

310 E 23rd St S, Newton, IA 50208

Enrollment

260

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newton

#5 of 7

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#537 of 662

In district

#5 of 7

Newton Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Aurora Heights Elementary School

Aurora Heights Elementary School serves 260 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Newton, Iowa, offering a strong academic foundation with personalized attention. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 and 24 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive focused instruction that shows in the school's impressive performance. The school ranks #137 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile with a solid 7.6 out of 10 rating.

Academic achievement is particularly noteworthy, with 77% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels. This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to building essential foundational skills. Aurora Heights serves a diverse community where the median household income is $57,274 and home values average $151,400.

The neighborhood has an 11.3% poverty rate, and while 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school successfully supports students from various educational backgrounds. Located at 310 E 23rd St S, Aurora Heights Elementary sits in the heart of Newton, a town setting that provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to quality educational resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,613

Aurora Heights Elementary School — Students at Aurora Heights Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Aurora Heights Elementary School Compares

See how Aurora Heights Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
20th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

310 E 23rd St S, Newton, IA 50208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Aurora Heights Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Colfax-Mingo Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Colfax), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lynnville-Sully Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Sully), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie City Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Prairie City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Berg Middle School Newton 0.6 mi 4.0
NEWTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton 1.1 mi 6.4
Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton 1.2 mi 5.7
Newton Senior High School Newton 1.4 mi 4.4
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Newton 2.0 mi 6.2
WEST Academy Alternative School Newton 2.4 mi 6.2
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Newton 2.7 mi 6.5
Baxter Elementary School Baxter 11.1 mi 6.5
Baxter High School Baxter 11.1 mi 3.7
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 12.6 mi 4.0
PCM High School Monroe 13.1 mi 4.4
Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax 10.8 mi 7.1
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 13.8 mi 5.3
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.3 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.3 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.3 mi 6.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 12.8 mi 4.9
Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax 11.5 mi 8.8
PCM Middle School Prairie City 12.8 mi 7.4
Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City 12.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,064

Median Home Value

$161,900

Median Rent

$830/mo

Population

20,270

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

69.3%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Aurora Heights Elementary School has a median household income of $61,064. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,900, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids, IA 5.2
Harlan Intermediate School Harlan, IA 5.2
Rogers Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 5.2
ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 5.2
AGWSR Elementary School Ackley, IA 5.3
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel, IA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Aurora Heights Elementary School

What grades does Aurora Heights Elementary School serve?

Aurora Heights Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Aurora Heights Elementary School?

Aurora Heights Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Aurora Heights Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Aurora Heights Elementary School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Aurora Heights Elementary School rank in IA?

Aurora Heights Elementary School is ranked #1024 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Aurora Heights Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Aurora Heights Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Aurora Heights Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Aurora Heights Elementary School has 80.3% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Aurora Heights Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Aurora Heights Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Aurora Heights Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Aurora Heights Elementary School?

57.7% of students at Aurora Heights 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,774/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jasper County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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