Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1251 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

3.6

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Dodge

#6 of 7

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#645 of 662

In district

#6 of 7

Fort Dodge Comm School District

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Cooper Elementary School

Cooper Elementary School is a regular public school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, serving students from first through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 238 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. Located at 2420 14th Avenue North, Cooper Elementary benefits from its small-town setting in Webster County, where the community is closely knit.

The academic performance at Cooper Elementary shows areas for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1191 out of 1288 schools in Iowa. The school's proficiency rates in ELA/Reading, Math, and Science are 48%, 47%, and 37% respectively, indicating room for academic growth and development. Despite the current challenges, Cooper Elementary continues to focus on providing a supportive learning environment that encourages student progress and success.

The school is situated in a remote town where community involvement plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging among students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,778

Cooper Elementary School — Students at Cooper Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

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 47.3%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
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: 2.0/10.

How Cooper Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
2th percentile in IA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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. COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Taft Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), 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 4.0
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 5.6
Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge 0.8 mi 3.3
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge 1.2 mi 5.9
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.1 mi 4.3
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 3.6
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 12.6 mi 5.9
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 10.1 mi 7.0
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 13.9 mi 6.9
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 14.1 mi 4.0
Humboldt High School Humboldt 13.9 mi 4.8
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 14.3 mi 7.2
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 14.4 mi 5.2
Dayton Center Dayton 18.4 mi 5.0
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 16.3 mi 4.0
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 16.3 mi 5.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cooper Elementary School has a median household income of $66,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.6
Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison, IA 3.6
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.5
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain, IA 3.7
Margaretta Carey Elementary School Waverly, IA 3.7
Wright Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.5

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 is ranked #1251 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cooper Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cooper Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Cooper Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cooper Elementary School has 47.3% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,310/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Dodge). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related 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.