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#779 of 1,280 schools in IA

Colo-nesco Elementary School

Elementary School · Colo-NESCO Comm School District

PO BOX 215 407 N Center, Zearing, IA 50278

Enrollment

164

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#431 of 662

In district

#2 of 2

Colo-NESCO Comm School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Colo-nesco Elementary School

Colo-Nesco Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the rural community of Zearing, Iowa. Serving students from pre-K through grade 4, the school boasts an enrollment of 164 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Colo-Nesco Elementary shows strengths in math, where 74% of students are proficient or above, while ELA proficiency stands at 61%.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranking as the 695th school among Iowa's 1288 schools (placing it around the 46th percentile), there is room for academic growth across various subjects. Colo-Nesco Elementary School provides a close-knit community environment where students receive personalized attention in their formative years, fostering a supportive atmosphere for learning and development. The rural setting of Zearing offers a peaceful backdrop that complements the school's mission to nurture young minds through dedicated teaching and strong community ties.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 164 students, Colo-nesco Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Colo-nesco 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,213

Colo-nesco Elementary School — Students at Colo-nesco Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.1%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 61.1%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2025
Math
73.5%
ELA
61.1%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Colo-nesco Elementary School Compares

See how Colo-nesco Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
39th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

PO BOX 215 407 N Center, Zearing, IA 50278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colo-nesco Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores notably higher. Another option is Collins-Maxwell Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Collins), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Marshall Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby State Center), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Zearing, see our Zearing schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
South Hardin Middle School Hubbard 9.6 mi 7.4
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo 10.8 mi 6.6
West Marshall Middle School State Center 12.0 mi 7.2
West Marshall High School State Center 12.0 mi 4.0
West Marshall Elementary School State Center 12.4 mi 7.7
Nevada Middle School Nevada 12.3 mi 8.2
Nevada High School Nevada 12.3 mi 3.8
Roland-Story Middle School Roland 10.4 mi 7.5
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 12.6 mi 7.6
Central Elementary School Nevada 12.7 mi 9.0
BCLUW Middle School Union 12.9 mi 7.7
Choice Charter School Union 13.0 mi
Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins 18.1 mi 8.3
South Hardin High School Eldora 16.1 mi 7.9
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora 17.1 mi 7.3
Roland-Story Elementary School Story City 15.0 mi 6.4
Roland-Story High School Story City 15.0 mi 5.2
Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell 19.7 mi 7.7
Meeker Elementary School Ames 18.4 mi 7.4
Northwood Pre-School Ames 18.3 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,344

Median Home Value

$170,400

Median Rent

$936/mo

Population

819

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

81.3%

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Colo-nesco Elementary School has a median household income of $67,344. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,400, with a median rent of $936/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.0
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah, IA 6.0
Irwin Elementary School Irwin, IA 6.0
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford, IA 6.0
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah, IA 6.0
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL De Witt, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colo-nesco Elementary School

What grades does Colo-nesco Elementary School serve?

Colo-nesco Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Colo-nesco Elementary School?

Colo-nesco Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colo-nesco Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Colo-nesco Elementary School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Colo-nesco Elementary School rank in IA?

Colo-nesco Elementary School is ranked #779 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Colo-nesco Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Colo-nesco Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Colo-nesco Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colo-nesco Elementary School has 74.1% math proficiency and 61.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Colo-nesco Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Colo-nesco Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Colo-nesco Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colo-nesco Elementary School?

42.7% of students at Colo-nesco 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 (77/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Story County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Colo-NESCO Comm School District
District Enrollment
383
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,910
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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