Very Good
#370 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 29% 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
7.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
337
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Polk City
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#238 of 662
In district
#1 of 5
North Polk Comm School District
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Big Creek Elementary
Big Creek Elementary serves students in grades three through five in Polk City, a rural community in Polk County, Iowa. The school enrolls 337 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7 to 1, supported by 23 full-time equivalent teachers who work to keep class sizes manageable. Academically, Big Creek Elementary performs well.
The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks 91st among Iowa's 1,288 schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide. Students demonstrate particular strength in mathematics, with 89% of students proficient or above across grade levels. Reading and language arts proficiency averages 83%, while 75% of students reach proficiency in science.
The school's overall academic score of 9.5 out of 10 reflects solid foundational instruction across core subjects. Located at 340 E Vista Lake Drive, Big Creek Elementary is situated in the rural area near Polk City, offering families a small-town school environment where administrators and teachers can develop strong relationships with students and their families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Big Creek 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Big Creek Elementary — Students at Big Creek Elementary score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 84%).
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. Beaver Creek Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Johnston), with a very similar rating. Another option is Prairie Trail Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ballard West Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Slater), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.1 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Westwood Elementary School Ankeny | 4.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny | 5.5 mi | 6.6 |
| North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman | 5.3 mi | 5.7 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 6.5 mi | — |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 5.2 mi | 5.1 |
| North Polk High School Alleman | 5.3 mi | 6.2 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman | 5.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny | 5.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny | 5.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 7.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 7.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston | 7.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 7.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Lawson Elementary School Johnston | 7.6 mi | 6.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Creek Elementary has a median household income of $161,627. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $390,600, with a median rent of $746/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA | 7.2 |
| Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA | 7.2 |
| Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA | 7.2 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA | 7.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 7.2 |
| Clark Elementary School New London, IA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #370 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Big Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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.
What are the test scores at Big Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Creek Elementary has 89.1% math proficiency and 83.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Polk City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 984-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,284
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,604
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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