Excellent
#139 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 11% in state
Ballard East Elementary
Elementary School · Ballard Comm School District
505 W 4th St, Cambridge, IA 50046
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#139 of 1,280
In district
#2 of 4
Ballard Comm School District
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Ballard East Elementary
Elementary School in Cambridge · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ballard Middle School
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ballard High School
3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ballard East Elementary
Ballard East Elementary is a public elementary school in Cambridge, IA, part of Ballard Comm School District. Ballard East Elementary serves approximately 431 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard East Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #139 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Ballard East Elementary show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Ballard East Elementary 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
Ballard East Elementary — Students at Ballard East Elementary score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
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 35 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: 9.2/10.
How Ballard East Elementary Compares
See how Ballard East Elementary 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
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 8.6/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Nevada), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Polk Central Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Alleman), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ballard West Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Slater), with a very similar rating. 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 | 8.4 |
| Ballard High School Huxley | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman | 6.7 mi | 7.5 |
| North Polk High School Alleman | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman | 6.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 6.9 mi | 8.2 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell | 7.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Elementary School Nevada | 9.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 10.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Nevada High School Nevada | 9.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 10.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny | 10.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Nevada Middle School Nevada | 10.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 10.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 10.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Ames High School Ames | 10.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 11.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Northview Middle School Ankeny | 11.4 mi | 5.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Epworth Elementary School Epworth, IA | 8.3 |
| Grundy Center Elementary School Grundy Center, IA | 8.3 |
| Irving Elementary School Indianola, IA | 8.3 |
| J C Hoglan Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 8.3 |
| Westwood Elementary School Sloan, IA | 8.3 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona, IA | 8.4 |
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 ranks #139 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ballard East Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard East Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Ballard East Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard East Elementary has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.1%
- Phone
- (515) 220-4306
Resources & Links
District
Ballard Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,960
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,339
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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