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Excellent

#119 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 9% in state

Baxter Elementary School

Elementary School · Baxter Comm School District

PO BOX 189 202 E State, Baxter, IA 50028

Enrollment

226

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#119 of 1,280

In Baxter

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Baxter Comm School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Baxter Elementary School

8.4/10

Elementary School in Baxter · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Baxter High School

5.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

6.7/10

9.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Baxter Elementary School

Baxter Elementary School is a public elementary school in Baxter, IA, part of Baxter Comm School District. Baxter Elementary School serves approximately 226 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Baxter Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #119 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Baxter Elementary School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Baxter Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+6.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,296
Chronic Absenteeism9.3%

Baxter Elementary School — Students at Baxter Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 74.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
83.6%
ELA
80.2%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Baxter Elementary School Compares

See how Baxter Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
91th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 189 202 E State, Baxter, IA 50028

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Baxter Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodrow Wilson Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Collins-Maxwell Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Collins), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Newton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Baxter, see our Baxter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Baxter High School Baxter 0.0 mi 5.1
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Newton 9.5 mi 6.7
WEST Academy Alternative School Newton 9.7 mi 4.0
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Newton 10.3 mi 8.2
Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton 10.1 mi 5.3
NEWTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton 10.1 mi 6.4
Newton Senior High School Newton 10.7 mi 4.8
Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax 11.1 mi 6.5
Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins 9.5 mi 7.5
Berg Middle School Newton 10.5 mi 3.3
Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax 11.6 mi 6.6
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton 11.1 mi 5.5
West Marshall Elementary School State Center 13.1 mi 5.9
West Marshall High School State Center 13.4 mi 6.0
West Marshall Middle School State Center 13.4 mi 7.0
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 12.3 mi 5.3
PCM Middle School Prairie City 16.6 mi 7.9
Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City 16.6 mi 5.9
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo 15.4 mi 7.8
Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell 13.5 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,982

Median Home Value

$197,400

Median Rent

$697/mo

Population

1,930

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

82.8%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

39.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA 8.4
Delhi Elementary School Delhi, IA 8.4
East Campus Elementary School Waukon, IA 8.4
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 8.4
Sioux Center Intermediate School Sioux Center, IA 8.4
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian, IA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Baxter Elementary School

What grades does Baxter Elementary School serve?

Baxter Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Baxter Elementary School?

Baxter Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 226 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Baxter Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Baxter Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Baxter Elementary School rank in IA?

Baxter Elementary School ranks #119 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Baxter Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Baxter Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Baxter Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Baxter Elementary School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Baxter Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Baxter Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Baxter Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Baxter Elementary School?

28.3% of students at Baxter Elementary School 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

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
226
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Jasper County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.3%

District

Baxter Comm School District
District Enrollment
487
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,296
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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