Excellent
#86 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 7% in state
Denison Elementary School
Elementary School · Denison Comm School District
38 N 20th St, Denison, IA 51442
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
698
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denison
#1 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#72 of 662
In district
#1 of 4
Denison Comm School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Denison Elementary School
Denison Elementary School is a public elementary school in Denison, IA, part of the Denison Comm School District. The school serves approximately 698 students in grades Pre-K – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 93.4th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 59% proficiency in math, 18 points below the state average and 50% in reading/language arts, 19 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $64,399, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Denison Elementary School — Students at Denison Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 8 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: 9.4/10.
How Denison Elementary School Compares
See how Denison Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
38 N 20th St, Denison, IA 51442
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Denison Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Schleswig Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Schleswig), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School (rated 8.2/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Westside), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt (rated 8.0/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Odebolt), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Denison, see our Denison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,399
Median Home Value
$146,200
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
9,586
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
14.8 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Denison Elementary School has a median household income of $64,399. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,200, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Kinsey Elementary School Sioux Center, IA | 8.1 |
| Maple Grove Elementary Cedar Rapids, IA | 8.1 |
| East Sac County Elementary Sac City, IA | 8.0 |
| Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 8.0 |
| Lisbon Elementary School Lisbon, IA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Denison Elementary School
What grades does Denison Elementary School serve?
Denison Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend Denison Elementary School?
Denison Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 698 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Denison Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Denison Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Denison Elementary School rank in IA?
Denison Elementary School is ranked #86 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Denison Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Denison Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Denison Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Denison Elementary School has 58.5% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Denison Elementary School a charter school?
No, Denison Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Denison Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Denison Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Denison Elementary School?
56.0% of students at Denison 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denison). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 698
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Crawford County
- Phone
- (712) 263-3104
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Denison Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,259
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,865
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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