Excellent
#156 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 12% in state
Ballard West Elementary
Elementary School · Ballard Comm School District
105 E Main St, Slater, IA 50244
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#156 of 1,280
In district
#3 of 4
Ballard Comm School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Ballard West Elementary
Elementary School in Slater · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ballard High School
3.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ballard Middle School
3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ballard West Elementary
Ballard West Elementary is a public elementary school in Slater, IA, part of Ballard Comm School District. Ballard West Elementary serves approximately 456 students, and covers grades Pre-K-2nd, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard West Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #156 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Ballard West Elementary show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Ballard West 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 West Elementary — Students at Ballard West Elementary score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2009-10)
Based on 4 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.
How Ballard West Elementary Compares
See how Ballard West 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
105 E Main St, Slater, IA 50244
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ballard West Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Polk Central Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Alleman), with a very similar rating. Another option is Ballard East Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Polk West Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Polk City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Slater, see our Slater schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ballard High School Huxley | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 3.8 mi | 8.4 |
| North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman | 5.6 mi | 8.4 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| North Polk High School Alleman | 5.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City | 7.2 mi | 7.6 |
| North Polk West Elementary School Polk City | 7.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 8.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 8.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 9.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 6.9 mi | 8.3 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 9.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Madrid High School Madrid | 7.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Madrid Junior High School Madrid | 7.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 9.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Madrid Elementary School Madrid | 7.5 mi | 6.5 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny | 10.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Madrid Elementary Preschool Madrid | 7.5 mi | — |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 9.6 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50244 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,544
Median Home Value
$235,600
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
1,866
College Educated
41.8%
Homeownership
89.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
41.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner, IA | 8.2 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert, IA | 8.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Center Albia, IA | 8.2 |
| North Polk West Elementary School Polk City, IA | 8.2 |
| Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction, IA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ballard West Elementary
What grades does Ballard West Elementary serve?
Ballard West Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend Ballard West Elementary?
Ballard West Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard West Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ballard West Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ballard West Elementary rank in IA?
Ballard West Elementary ranks #156 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ballard West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard West Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 West Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard West Elementary has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010).
Is Ballard West Elementary a charter school?
No, Ballard West Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ballard West Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ballard West Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard West Elementary?
17.8% of students at Ballard West 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 456
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Story County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.4%
- Phone
- (515) 228-3890
Resources & Links
District
Ballard Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,960
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,339
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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