Very Good
#346 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 27% in state
Based on limited data
Big Creek Elementary
Elementary School · North Polk Comm School District
340 E Vista Lake Drive, Polk City, IA 50226
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
3rd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#346 of 1,280
In Polk City
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#3 of 5
North Polk Comm School District
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Big Creek Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Big Creek Elementary
Elementary School in Polk City · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Polk West Elementary School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Luke the Evangelist Catholic School
3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Big Creek Elementary
Big Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Polk City, IA, part of North Polk Comm School District. Big Creek Elementary serves approximately 337 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #346 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Big Creek Elementary show 89% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP). Based on limited data: 50% component coverage.
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 8.1
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Big Creek 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Big Creek Elementary — Students at Big Creek Elementary score 86% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 88%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
How Big Creek Elementary Compares
See how Big Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
340 E Vista Lake Drive, Polk City, IA 50226
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Polk Central Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Alleman), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Polk West Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ballard West Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Slater), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Polk City, see our Polk City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Polk West Elementary School Polk City | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Westwood Elementary School Ankeny | 4.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny | 5.5 mi | 6.6 |
| North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman | 5.3 mi | 8.4 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 6.5 mi | — |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| North Polk High School Alleman | 5.3 mi | 6.3 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 6.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny | 5.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 7.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 7.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston | 7.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 7.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 6.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Lawson Elementary School Johnston | 7.6 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$161,627
Median Home Value
$390,600
Median Rent
$746/mo
Population
7,290
College Educated
48.1%
Homeownership
91.8%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Median Age
38.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Elementary School Independence, IA | 7.6 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley, IA | 7.6 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 7.6 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA | 7.6 |
| Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point, IA | 7.5 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Creek Elementary
What grades does Big Creek Elementary serve?
Big Creek Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Big Creek Elementary?
Big Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 337 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Creek Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Creek Elementary rank in IA?
Big Creek Elementary ranks #346 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Big Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Big Creek Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Creek Elementary has 89% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Is Big Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Big Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Big Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Creek Elementary?
11.3% of students at Big Creek 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 337
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 6.8%
- Phone
- (515) 984-3400
Resources & Links
District
North Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,284
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,604
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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