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
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Ballard East Elementary — Students at Ballard East Elementary score 78% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.3%
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: 3.4/10.
How Ballard East Elementary Compares
See how Ballard East Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 73% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (515) 220-4306
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ballard Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,960
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,339
- District Rank
- #4 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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