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Needs Improvement

#1250 of 1,280 schools in IA

Butler Elementary School

Elementary School · Fort Dodge Comm School District

945 South 18th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Enrollment

344

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

3.6

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Dodge

#5 of 7

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#644 of 662

In district

#5 of 7

Fort Dodge Comm School District

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Butler Elementary School

Butler Elementary School in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school serving students from first through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 344 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school ensures that each child receives personalized attention from its team of 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Butler Elementary School's academic performance currently ranks in the third percentile among Iowa schools, with room for improvement across all subjects.

The proficiency rates stand at 46% for ELA/Reading and 47% for Math, while Science shows a slightly higher proficiency rate of 52%. Despite these scores, the school remains committed to supporting its students' educational development. Butler Elementary School is situated in a remote town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.

The school’s location makes it an integral part of the local neighborhood, fostering strong connections between families and educators.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-35.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,778

Butler Elementary School — Students at Butler Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 46.1%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
47.3%
ELA
45.1%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Butler Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
2th percentile in IA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

945 South 18th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Butler Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Taft Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Dodge, see our Fort Dodge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.7 mi
School Distance Rating
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.4 mi 8.1
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge 0.7 mi 5.9
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.7 mi 5.3
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.2 mi 5.3
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.2 mi 5.0
Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.2 mi 3.3
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge 1.4 mi 4.0
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.8 mi 3.6
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge 1.7 mi 5.6
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 2.0 mi 4.3
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 11.1 mi 5.9
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 9.7 mi 7.0
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 15.5 mi 6.9
Humboldt High School Humboldt 15.5 mi 4.8
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 15.8 mi 4.0
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 16.0 mi 7.2
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 16.1 mi 5.2
Dayton Center Dayton 16.8 mi 5.0
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 17.7 mi 4.0
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 17.7 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,130

Median Home Value

$139,700

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

28,633

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

39.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Butler Elementary School has a median household income of $66,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 3.6
Hayes Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.6
Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison, IA 3.6
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.5
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain, IA 3.7
Jefferson Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Butler Elementary School

What grades does Butler Elementary School serve?

Butler Elementary School serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Butler Elementary School?

Butler Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 344 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Butler Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Butler Elementary School rank in IA?

Butler Elementary School is ranked #1250 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Butler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Butler Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Butler Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Butler Elementary School has 47.0% math proficiency and 46.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Butler Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Butler Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

69.2% of students at Butler 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

City Safety
High (4,310/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Dodge). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Webster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fort Dodge Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,611
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,013
District Rank
#5 of 7

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 methodology

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