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Needs Improvement

#1217 of 1,280 schools in IA

Cooper Elementary School

Elementary School · Fort Dodge Comm School District

2420 14th Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Enrollment

238

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

3.1

Grades

1st – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,217 of 1,280

In Fort Dodge

#5 of 7

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

Fort Dodge Comm School District

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Cooper Elementary School

3.1/10

Elementary School in Fort Dodge · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fort Dodge High School

2.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Edmond Catholic School

5.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cooper Elementary School

Cooper Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Dodge, IA, part of Fort Dodge Comm School District. Cooper Elementary School serves approximately 238 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cooper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,217 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Cooper Elementary School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.8
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-27.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,013
Chronic Absenteeism19.3%

Cooper Elementary School — Students at Cooper Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 59.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
42.6%
ELA
41.3%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Cooper Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
5th percentile in IA
Academic
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2420 14th Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cooper Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Taft Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Dodge, see our Fort Dodge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge 0.4 mi 2.9
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.6 mi 5.3
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.6 mi 5.0
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge 0.7 mi 5.0
Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge 0.8 mi 3.3
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge 1.2 mi 5.8
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.1 mi 4.0
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.7 mi 8.1
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.5 mi 5.3
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.8 mi 2.7
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 12.6 mi 7.0
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 10.1 mi 7.0
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 13.9 mi 8.4
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 14.1 mi 3.9
Humboldt High School Humboldt 13.9 mi 5.7
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 14.3 mi 9.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 14.4 mi 5.2
Dayton Center Dayton 18.4 mi 6.8
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 16.3 mi 3.7
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 16.3 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,130

Median Home Value

$139,700

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

28,633

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

17.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

39.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA 3.2
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.0
King Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.2
Melcher-Dallas Elementary Dallas, IA 3.2
Oak Park Des Moines, IA 3.0
Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cooper Elementary School

What grades does Cooper Elementary School serve?

Cooper Elementary School serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Cooper Elementary School?

Cooper Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 238 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cooper Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cooper Elementary School rank in IA?

Cooper Elementary School ranks #1,217 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cooper Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cooper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Cooper Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cooper Elementary School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cooper Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cooper Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

46.2% of students at Cooper 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

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
16 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
238
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Webster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.3%

District

Fort Dodge Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,611
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,013
District Rank
#5 of 7

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