Below Average
#1075 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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,075 of 1,280
In district
#2 of 2
Colo-NESCO Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Colo-nesco Elementary School
Elementary School in Zearing · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South Hardin Middle School
9.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
10.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Colo-nesco Elementary School
Colo-nesco Elementary School is a public elementary school in Zearing, IA, part of Colo-NESCO Comm School District. Colo-nesco Elementary School serves approximately 164 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Colo-nesco Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,075 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Colo-nesco Elementary School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 164 students, Colo-nesco Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Colo-nesco Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Colo-nesco Elementary School — Students at Colo-nesco Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 24 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.3/10.
How Colo-nesco Elementary School Compares
See how Colo-nesco Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Radcliffe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Nevada), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roland-Story Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Story City), 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 | 7.0 |
| Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo | 10.8 mi | 7.8 |
| West Marshall Middle School State Center | 12.0 mi | 7.0 |
| West Marshall High School State Center | 12.0 mi | 6.0 |
| West Marshall Elementary School State Center | 12.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Nevada Middle School Nevada | 12.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Nevada High School Nevada | 12.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Roland-Story Middle School Roland | 10.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe | 12.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Central Elementary School Nevada | 12.7 mi | 8.6 |
| BCLUW Middle School Union | 12.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Choice Charter School Union | 13.0 mi | — |
| Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins | 18.1 mi | 7.5 |
| South Hardin High School Eldora | 16.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora | 17.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City | 15.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 15.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell | 19.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 18.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 18.3 mi | 4.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cresco, IA | 4.5 |
| Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.6 |
| Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary Exira, IA | 4.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 4.7 |
| Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein, IA | 4.7 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
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 ranks #1,075 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Colo-nesco Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Colo-nesco Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Colo-nesco Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Colo-nesco Elementary School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.3%
- Phone
- (641) 487-7411
Resources & Links
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
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