Average
#511 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 40% in state
Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School
Elementary School · Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District
319 3rd Ave NE, Clarion, IA 50525
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
517
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clarion
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#312 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Clarion, Iowa. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 517 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, ensuring individualized attention for each child. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide a nurturing environment that supports academic growth.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks at number 694 out of 1,288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 46th percentile statewide. In terms of specific academic performance, 59% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 67% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on further development to enhance student achievement.
Situated in a small rural community, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School benefits from close-knit relationships within its tight-knit neighborhood, fostering a supportive and caring educational environment for students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Clarion-goldfield-dows 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School — Students at Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School Compares
See how Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
319 3rd Ave NE, Clarion, IA 50525
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CAL Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Latimer), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Hancock Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sunset Heights Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Webster City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clarion, see our Clarion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,875
Median Home Value
$117,300
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
3,196
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
69%
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School has a median household income of $59,875. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,300, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bowman Woods Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.7 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona, IA | 6.7 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 6.7 |
| Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 6.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School
What grades does Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School serve?
Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School?
Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 517 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School rank in IA?
Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School is ranked #511 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School has 67.0% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School a charter school?
No, Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School?
53.2% of students at Clarion-goldfield-dows 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (661/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clarion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 517
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Wright County
- Phone
- (515) 532-2873
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,010
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,007
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.