Average
#659 of 1,280 schools in IA
Based on limited data
Ballard West Elementary
Elementary School · Ballard Comm School District
105 E Main St, Slater, IA 50244
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#373 of 662
In district
#2 of 4
Ballard Comm School District
About Ballard West Elementary
Ballard West Elementary is a regular public school nestled in the rural community of Slater, Iowa. Serving preschool through second grade, this elementary school welcomes 456 students and employs 33 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. While Ballard West Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks 1055th among Iowa's 1288 schools, the school is focused on fostering a nurturing environment for young learners with room for academic growth.
Ballard West Elementary’s setting in a rural area offers students a close-knit community feel, where they can explore nature and develop strong bonds with their peers and teachers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ballard West 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Ballard West Elementary Compares
See how Ballard West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Ames), which scores notably higher. Another option is Madrid Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Madrid), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Big Creek Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Polk City), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.6 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman | 5.6 mi | 5.7 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman | 5.6 mi | 5.2 |
| North Polk High School Alleman | 5.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City | 7.2 mi | 7.2 |
| North Polk West Elementary School Polk City | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 9.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 8.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 8.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 9.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 6.9 mi | 5.4 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 9.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Madrid High School Madrid | 7.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Madrid Junior High School Madrid | 7.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 9.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Madrid Elementary School Madrid | 7.5 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballard West Elementary has a median household income of $101,544. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,600, with a median rent of $877/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA | 6.3 |
| Bedford Elementary School Bedford, IA | 6.3 |
| Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA | 6.3 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 6.3 |
| Inman Elementary School Red Oak, IA | 6.3 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #659 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ballard West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard West Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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.
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
- County Safety
- Low (77/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 228-3890
- 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
- #2 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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