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Average

#990 of 1,280 schools in IA

Cascade Elementary School

Elementary School · Western Dubuque Comm School District

110 Harrison St SE, Cascade, IA 52033

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cascade

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#521 of 662

In district

#7 of 8

Western Dubuque Comm School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Cascade Elementary School

Cascade Elementary School serves 297 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Cascade, Iowa. This high-performing public school has earned recognition as one of Iowa's top elementary schools, ranking 32nd out of 1,288 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile with a strong 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, with 92% of students performing at proficient or above levels in mathematics and 82% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.

With 22 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Cascade Elementary maintains a favorable 13.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and support. Located on Harrison Street in Dubuque County, the school serves families in a community where the median household income is $67,614 and median home values average $193,000. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.5%.

Cascade Elementary sits in Iowa's scenic rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere where strong academic performance and personal attention help young learners thrive in their educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Cascade Elementary School 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency92%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,022

Cascade Elementary School — Students at Cascade Elementary School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 89.5%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 76.3%
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
92%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
86.9%
ELA
68.9%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Cascade Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
23th percentile in IA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

110 Harrison St SE, Cascade, IA 52033

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cascade Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Johnston Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Hopkinton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carpenter Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Monticello), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Dyersville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cascade, see our Cascade schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.7 mi
School Distance Rating
AQUIN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cascade 0.6 mi 6.5
Cascade Junior-Senior High School Cascade 0.6 mi 6.0
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Farley 9.7 mi 6.1
Drexler Middle School Farley 10.0 mi 7.7
Farley Elementary School Farley 10.0 mi 4.7
Western Dubuque High School Epworth 10.4 mi 5.7
Epworth Elementary School Epworth 10.7 mi 6.1
Monticello Middle School Monticello 9.9 mi 7.8
Monticello High School Monticello 9.9 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Monticello 10.1 mi 5.5
Carpenter Elementary School Monticello 10.3 mi 6.7
Shannon Elementary School Monticello 10.5 mi 5.8
BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville 13.2 mi 5.5
Dyersville Elementary School Dyersville 13.6 mi 5.7
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dyersville 14.0 mi 6.6
Peosta Elementary School Peosta 13.2 mi 6.0
SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PEOSTA CENTER Peosta 13.7 mi 4.8
Midland Middle/High School Wyoming 16.5 mi 5.6
Johnston Elementary School Hopkinton 12.7 mi 7.5
LA SALLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Holy Cross 20.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,833

Median Home Value

$210,600

Median Rent

$887/mo

Population

3,581

College Educated

26.4%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

33

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cascade Elementary School has a median household income of $70,833. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,600, with a median rent of $887/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Moore Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas, IA 5.4
Prescott Elementary School Dubuque, IA 5.4
Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 5.4
Winfield Elementary School Winfield, IA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cascade Elementary School

What grades does Cascade Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Cascade Elementary School?

Cascade Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cascade Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cascade Elementary School rank in IA?

Cascade Elementary School is ranked #990 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cascade Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cascade Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Cascade Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cascade Elementary School has 89.5% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cascade Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cascade Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

33.7% of students at Cascade 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

County Safety
Low (143/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dubuque County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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