Very Good
#323 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 25% in state
Cora B Darling Elementary
Elementary School · Postville Comm School District
PO BOX 717 312 W Post, Postville, IA 52162
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Postville
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#209 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Postville Comm School District
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cora B Darling Elementary
Cora B Darling Elementary in Postville, Iowa, is a small rural elementary school serving pre-K through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 350 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, the school offers personalized attention in its remote setting. Cora B Darling has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting young learners.
Academically, Cora B Darling Elementary ranks 1163 out of 1288 schools in Iowa and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2/10. On standardized tests, 49% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 45% meet the proficiency mark in math. Though test scores indicate room for improvement, the school remains committed to student development and growth.
Cora B Darling Elementary is situated in a remote rural area where close-knit community ties foster a supportive learning environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cora B Darling Elementary 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
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Cora B Darling Elementary — Students at Cora B Darling Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Cora B Darling Elementary Compares
See how Cora B Darling Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 717 312 W Post, Postville, IA 52162
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cora B Darling Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Elkader), which scores notably higher. Another option is MFL MarMac Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Campus Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Waukon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Postville, see our Postville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John R Mott Jr/Hi School Postville | 0.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Postville Early Childhood Preschool/Post St/REC Center Postville | 0.1 mi | — |
| Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St Postville | 0.1 mi | — |
| Valley Elementary School Elgin | 8.7 mi | 6.1 |
| North Fayette Valley Middle School Elgin | 8.7 mi | 7.1 |
| MFL MarMac High School Monona | 9.4 mi | 5.6 |
| MFL MarMac Elementary School Monona | 9.4 mi | 8.5 |
| South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian | 10.5 mi | 7.9 |
| South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Waukon High School Waukon | 13.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Waukon Middle School Waukon | 13.8 mi | 7.6 |
| West Campus Elementary School Waukon | 13.8 mi | 7.8 |
| East Campus Elementary School Waukon | 13.8 mi | 8.4 |
| North Fayette Valley High School West Union | 14.0 mi | 7.8 |
| West Union Elementary School West Union | 14.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Central Middle School/High School Elkader | 17.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Central Elementary Elkader | 17.7 mi | 8.6 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah | 18.2 mi | 6.0 |
| CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah | 18.5 mi | — |
| Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah | 18.6 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52162 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,419
Median Home Value
$129,300
Median Rent
$851/mo
Population
3,576
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cora B Darling Elementary has a median household income of $61,419. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,300, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 7.3 |
| Cardinal Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 7.3 |
| Cody Elementary School Leclaire, IA | 7.3 |
| Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora, IA | 7.3 |
| Lambert Elementary School Manchester, IA | 7.3 |
| Missouri Valley Elementary Missouri Valley, IA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cora B Darling Elementary
What grades does Cora B Darling Elementary serve?
Cora B Darling Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Cora B Darling Elementary?
Cora B Darling Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cora B Darling Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cora B Darling Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cora B Darling Elementary rank in IA?
Cora B Darling Elementary is ranked #323 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cora B Darling Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cora B Darling Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Cora B Darling Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cora B Darling Elementary has 52.9% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cora B Darling Elementary a charter school?
No, Cora B Darling Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cora B Darling Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cora B Darling Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cora B Darling Elementary?
80.3% of students at Cora B Darling Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Postville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 350
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Allamakee County
- Phone
- (563) 864-7653
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Postville Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 739
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,210
- 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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