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Below Average

#1024 of 1,280 schools in IA

Denison Elementary School

Elementary School · Denison Comm School District

38 N 20th St, Denison, IA 51442

Enrollment

698

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,024 of 1,280

In Denison

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Denison Comm School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Denison Elementary School

4.8/10

Elementary School in Denison · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Broadway Elementary School

7.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Denison High School

7.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Denison Elementary School

Denison Elementary School is a public elementary school in Denison, IA, part of Denison Comm School District. Denison Elementary School serves approximately 698 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Denison Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,024 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Denison Elementary School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-8.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,865
Chronic Absenteeism14.9%

Denison Elementary School — Students at Denison Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.7% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 61.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
69.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 29 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2013
ELA
67%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
68%
ELA
60%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Denison Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
20th percentile in IA
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.9%

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 9.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Schleswig), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boyer Valley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Dow City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School (rated 8.1/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Westside), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Denison, see our Denison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Broadway Elementary School Denison 0.4 mi 7.7
Denison High School Denison 0.7 mi 7.0
Denison Middle School Denison 1.1 mi 8.5
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison 0.9 mi 5.0
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison 0.9 mi 6.5
Schleswig Middle School Schleswig 11.0 mi 6.4
Schleswig Elementary School Schleswig 11.0 mi 9.0
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City 10.0 mi 8.6
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 13.0 mi 7.3
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 13.0 mi 8.1
Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak 13.1 mi 5.6
Charter Oak-Ute Junior High School Charter Oak 13.1 mi 6.9
Irwin Elementary School Irwin 16.9 mi 8.1
Boyer Valley Middle/High School Dunlap 17.3 mi 7.7
Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt Odebolt 20.6 mi 7.2
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Middle School Odebolt 20.6 mi 7.3
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning 16.7 mi 7.5
IKM-Manning High School Manning 16.7 mi 5.7
Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove High School Ida Grove 22.8 mi 7.8
Odebolt Elementary-Ida Grove Ida Grove 23.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion, IA 4.8
Horizon Elementary Johnston, IA 4.8
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.7
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.7
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee, IA 4.9
Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk, IA 4.9

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 ranks #1,024 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Denison Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Denison Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Denison Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Denison Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.9%

District

Denison Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,259
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,865
District Rank
#4 of 4

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