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Excellent

#50 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 4% in state

Crestwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District

1000 4th Ave East, Cresco, IA 52136

Enrollment

456

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cresco

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#43 of 662

In district

#1 of 3

Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Crestwood Elementary School

Crestwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cresco, IA, part of the Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District. The school serves approximately 456 students in grades Kindergarten – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 96.2th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math, 3 points below the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 1 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $66,932, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a remote rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Crestwood 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 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,628

Crestwood Elementary School — Students at Crestwood Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
74%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
81%
ELA
76.5%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Crestwood Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
96th percentile in IA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

1000 4th Ave East, Cresco, IA 52136

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Crestwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Turkey Valley Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Jackson Junction), which scores slightly higher. Another option is John Cline Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Decorah), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Decorah), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cresco, see our Cresco schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Crestwood High School Cresco 0.1 mi 6.3
Cresco Early Childhood Development Center Cresco 0.2 mi 5.6
NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cresco 0.6 mi 4.5
TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Protivin 10.9 mi 5.0
FILLMORE CENTRAL SENIOR HIGH Harmony 13.1 mi 5.7
Fillmore Central ALP Harmony 13.1 mi
Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction 18.7 mi 9.4
Turkey Valley Jr-Sr High School Jackson Junction 18.7 mi 4.9
VALLEY VIEW Mabel 16.0 mi
FILLMORE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Preston 20.8 mi 5.8
KINDERHAUS Decorah 15.7 mi
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 18.0 mi 7.3
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah 16.5 mi 6.6
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 16.6 mi 6.0
Decorah Middle School Decorah 16.7 mi 8.0
Decorah High School Decorah 16.6 mi 6.1
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 16.7 mi 7.9
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 16.7 mi
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah 17.0 mi 6.0
MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel 19.3 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52136 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,932

Median Home Value

$153,300

Median Rent

$721/mo

Population

5,763

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Crestwood Elementary School has a median household income of $66,932. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $721/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. 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
East Elementary School Sheldon, IA 8.4
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills, IA 8.4
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City, IA 8.4
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 8.3
Central Lyon Elementary School Rock Rapids, IA 8.3
Edwards Elementary School Ames, IA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Crestwood Elementary School

What grades does Crestwood Elementary School serve?

Crestwood Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Crestwood Elementary School?

Crestwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 456 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Crestwood Elementary School 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 Crestwood Elementary School rank in IA?

Crestwood Elementary School is ranked #50 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Crestwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Crestwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Crestwood Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Crestwood Elementary School has 73.2% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Crestwood Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Crestwood Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

50.4% of students at Crestwood 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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Low (231/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
456
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Howard County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,058
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,192
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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