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Very Good

#255 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 20% in state

Creston Elementary School

Elementary School · Creston Comm School District

805 Academic Ave, Creston, IA 50801

Enrollment

420

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Creston

#3 of 4

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#172 of 662

In district

#3 of 4

Creston Comm School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Creston Elementary School

Creston Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the small, remote town of Creston, Iowa. Serving students from first through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 420 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of about 13 to 1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere where students receive personalized attention.

Creston Elementary School’s academic performance is rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 48th percentile among Iowa schools. In state assessments, 64% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 67% achieve proficiency or better in math, with similar results in science at 64%. While these scores suggest there is room for improvement, Creston Elementary focuses on the development and support of its students.

The school’s location offers a quiet, rural environment that fosters a strong sense of community among its families. Creston Elementary School sits amidst a close-knit town setting in Union County, providing a nurturing educational experience for young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,868

Creston Elementary School — Students at Creston Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 63.6%
School
State
72.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
70.9%
ELA
68.3%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Creston Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

805 Academic Ave, Creston, IA 50801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Creston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nodaway Valley Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Greenfield), with a very similar rating. Another option is Corning Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Corning), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Union Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Afton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Creston, see our Creston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Creston Middle School Creston 0.0 mi 8.1
Creston High School Creston 0.3 mi 7.5
Creston Early Childhood Center Creston 0.8 mi 6.4
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston 1.0 mi 6.3
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston 1.6 mi 5.1
Orient Elementary School Orient 8.8 mi 3.9
Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient 8.8 mi 6.1
East Union Elementary Afton 10.7 mi 6.9
East Union Middle-High School Afton 10.7 mi 6.7
Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield 16.8 mi 7.8
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield 16.9 mi 6.0
Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal 18.6 mi 6.4
Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal 18.7 mi 5.9
Lenox Elementary School Lenox 16.9 mi 6.3
Lenox High School Lenox 16.9 mi 7.6
Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle 17.8 mi 6.7
Southwest Valley High school Corning 20.1 mi 7.8
Corning Elementary School Corning 20.1 mi 7.7
Mount Ayr Elementary Mount Ayr 26.0 mi 6.0
Mount Ayr High School Mount Ayr 26.0 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,453

Median Home Value

$120,700

Median Rent

$676/mo

Population

9,027

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

70.1%

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Creston Elementary School has a median household income of $55,453. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,700, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA 7.5
Bluff Elementary School Clinton, IA 7.5
Echo Hill Elementary Marion, IA 7.5
Forest Grove Elementary Bettendorf, IA 7.5
Garfield Elementary School Clarinda, IA 7.5
Mediapolis Elementary School Mediapolis, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Creston Elementary School

What grades does Creston Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Creston Elementary School?

Creston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Creston Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Creston Elementary School rank in IA?

Creston Elementary School is ranked #255 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Creston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Creston Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Creston Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Creston Elementary School has 67.5% math proficiency and 63.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Creston Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Creston Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

59.0% of students at Creston 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,307/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Creston Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,426
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,338
District Rank
#3 of 4

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

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