Average
#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
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Colo-nesco Elementary School — Students at Colo-nesco Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 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: 4.5/10.
How Colo-nesco Elementary School Compares
See how Colo-nesco Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (641) 487-7411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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
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