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Needs Improvement

#1178 of 1,280 schools in IA

Black Hawk Elementary School

Elementary School · Burlington Comm School District

2804 S 14th St, Burlington, IA 52601

Enrollment

290

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,178 of 1,280

In Burlington

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Burlington Comm School District

School environment

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Black Hawk Elementary School

3.5/10

Elementary School in Burlington · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

James Wilson Grimes School

3.3/10

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

Corse Early Childhood Center

3.0/10

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

About Black Hawk Elementary School

Black Hawk Elementary School is a public elementary school in Burlington, IA, part of Burlington Comm School District. Black Hawk Elementary School serves approximately 290 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Black Hawk Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,178 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Black Hawk Elementary School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.2
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Black Hawk Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.8% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.6 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,619
Chronic Absenteeism36.6%

Black Hawk Elementary School — Students at Black Hawk Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
58.8%
ELA
56.5%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Black Hawk Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
8th percentile in IA
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

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

2804 S 14th St, Burlington, IA 52601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black Hawk Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Danville Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Danville), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Burlington Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby West Burlington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mediapolis Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Mediapolis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
James Wilson Grimes School Burlington 1.4 mi 3.3
Corse Early Childhood Center Burlington 1.8 mi 3.0
Edward Stone Middle School Burlington 1.8 mi 2.8
Burlington Community High School Burlington 2.3 mi 2.3
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME Burlington 2.3 mi 5.7
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Burlington 2.3 mi 6.1
North Hill Elementary School Burlington 2.7 mi 4.7
Sunnyside Elementary School Burlington 3.8 mi 5.4
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School Burlington 4.0 mi 4.5
West Burlington Arnold Jr./Sr. High School West Burlington 3.8 mi 6.1
West Burlington Elem School West Burlington 3.9 mi 7.2
Dallas City Elem School Dallas City 10.8 mi 5.6
West Central Middle School Stronghurst 10.9 mi 3.1
Danville Elementary School Danville 12.1 mi 9.0
Danville Junior-Senior High School Danville 12.1 mi 6.0
West Central High School Biggsville 12.1 mi 6.0
West Central Elementary School Biggsville 12.1 mi 3.5
West Central Early Childhood Biggsville 12.1 mi 5.3
La Harpe Elementary School La Harpe 15.2 mi 5.2
Mediapolis Elementary School Mediapolis 16.6 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,123

Median Home Value

$125,500

Median Rent

$921/mo

Population

27,465

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.5
Jackson Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.5
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.4
Phillips Elementary Des Moines, IA 3.6
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.4
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black Hawk Elementary School

What grades does Black Hawk Elementary School serve?

Black Hawk Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Black Hawk Elementary School?

Black Hawk Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black Hawk Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Black Hawk Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black Hawk Elementary School rank in IA?

Black Hawk Elementary School ranks #1,178 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Black Hawk Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Black Hawk Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Black Hawk Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Black Hawk Elementary School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Black Hawk Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Black Hawk Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

61.7% of students at Black Hawk 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
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
10 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Des Moines County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

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