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Average

#966 of 1,280 schools in IA

Ballard East Elementary

Elementary School · Ballard Comm School District

505 W 4th St, Cambridge, IA 50046

Enrollment

431

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

5.4

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#512 of 662

In district

#4 of 4

Ballard Comm School District

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Ballard East Elementary

Ballard East Elementary serves 431 students in grades 3-5 in Cambridge, Iowa, offering a focused upper elementary experience with a favorable 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #170 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 87th percentile statewide. Students at Ballard East show particularly impressive achievement in mathematics, with 82% scoring proficient or above across all grade levels, while 73% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.

These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction in core subject areas. The school draws families from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $87,375 and home values average $196,800. With 35% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.8%, the surrounding area provides a supportive environment for education.

Ballard East Elementary operates as a regular public school in Story County's rural landscape, serving families who value both academic achievement and the close-knit community atmosphere that comes with small-town Iowa living.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ballard East 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency78%
Expected (poverty-adj.)81%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,788

Ballard East Elementary — Students at Ballard East Elementary score 78% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.6%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 75.4%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
84.5%
ELA
73.4%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Ballard East Elementary Compares

See how Ballard East Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
25th percentile in IA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

505 W 4th St, Cambridge, IA 50046

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballard East Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meeker Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Ames), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fellows Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Ames), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Ballard Middle School Huxley 3.2 mi 7.0
Ballard High School Huxley 3.7 mi 5.6
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 6.8 mi 6.7
North Polk Middle School Alleman 6.7 mi 5.2
North Polk High School Alleman 6.8 mi 6.2
North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman 6.8 mi 5.7
Ballard West Elementary Slater 6.9 mi 6.3
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 8.5 mi 6.5
Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell 7.6 mi 7.7
Central Elementary School Nevada 9.7 mi 9.0
Meeker Elementary School Ames 10.3 mi 7.4
Nevada High School Nevada 9.9 mi 3.8
Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny 10.4 mi 5.5
Northeast Elementary Ankeny 10.9 mi 4.9
Nevada Middle School Nevada 10.0 mi 8.2
Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny 10.7 mi 5.1
Fellows Elementary School Ames 10.7 mi 7.1
Ames High School Ames 10.7 mi 5.9
Northwood Pre-School Ames 11.0 mi 4.0
Northview Middle School Ankeny 11.4 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,944

Median Home Value

$225,000

Median Rent

$1,005/mo

Population

1,696

College Educated

34%

Homeownership

89.1%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ballard East Elementary has a median household income of $91,944. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,000, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary Cedar Falls, IA 5.4
Cascade Elementary School Cascade, IA 5.4
Moore Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas, IA 5.4
Prescott Elementary School Dubuque, IA 5.4
West Elementary Knoxville, IA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballard East Elementary

What grades does Ballard East Elementary serve?

Ballard East Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Ballard East Elementary?

Ballard East Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard East Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballard East Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballard East Elementary rank in IA?

Ballard East Elementary is ranked #966 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Ballard East Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard East Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Ballard East Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballard East Elementary has 83.6% math proficiency and 75.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ballard East Elementary a charter school?

No, Ballard East Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballard East Elementary a Title I school?

No, Ballard East Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard East Elementary?

18.3% of students at Ballard East 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (77/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Story County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ballard Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,960
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,339
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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