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Very Good

#150 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 12% in state

Dexter Elementary School

Elementary School · West Central Valley Comm School District

PO BOX 157 803 Washington St, Dexter, IA 50070

Enrollment

181

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.9

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#112 of 662

In district

#1 of 4

West Central Valley Comm School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Dexter Elementary School

Dexter Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Dexter, Iowa, within Dallas County. Serving students from third to fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 181 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, ensuring individualized attention for each child. The dedicated teaching staff includes thirteen full-time equivalent educators committed to supporting every student's academic and personal growth.

Dexter Elementary School’s academic performance places it in the 75th percentile among Iowa schools, with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. Students perform well in core subjects: 72% are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 71% in math, and 72% in science. These scores reflect the school's focus on fostering a strong foundation in essential skills while recognizing areas where improvement is needed.

Dexter Elementary School sits in a rural setting, surrounded by a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 181 students, Dexter Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Dexter 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 Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,733

Dexter Elementary School — Students at Dexter Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.3%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 72.4%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 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
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
75.6%
ELA
72.9%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Dexter Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
88th percentile in IA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

PO BOX 157 803 Washington St, Dexter, IA 50070

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dexter Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Earlham Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Earlham), with a very similar rating. Another option is Panorama Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Panora), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Winterset Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Winterset), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dexter, see our Dexter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
West Central Valley High School Stuart 3.9 mi 5.1
West Central Valley Middle School Redfield 5.3 mi 7.3
Stuart Elementary School Stuart 4.6 mi 6.6
Earlham Elementary School Earlham 5.7 mi 8.0
Earlham Senior High School Earlham 5.7 mi 7.0
Earlham Middle School Earlham 5.7 mi 4.6
Meadow View Elementary Adel 11.9 mi 6.0
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto 11.4 mi 7.8
Adel Elementary School Adel 12.5 mi 6.1
Panorama High School Panora 14.1 mi 4.9
Panorama Middle School Panora 14.1 mi 4.8
Panorama Elementary Panora 14.4 mi 7.7
ADM Senior High School Adel 12.7 mi 7.1
ADM Middle School Adel 12.7 mi 7.9
Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter 14.2 mi 6.9
Van Meter High School Van Meter 14.2 mi 7.4
Van Meter Middle School Van Meter 14.2 mi 6.5
Winterset Elementary School Winterset 17.0 mi 7.0
Winterset Junior High School Winterset 17.2 mi 7.3
Winterset Senior High School Winterset 17.2 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50070 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,352

Median Home Value

$187,500

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

1,366

College Educated

28.2%

Homeownership

85%

Avg Commute

32.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.4%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dexter Elementary School has a median household income of $90,352. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,500, with a median rent of $883/month. The local poverty rate of 3.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center Lowden, IA 7.9
North Hill Elementary School Burlington, IA 7.9
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian, IA 7.9
Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron, IA 8.0
Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun, IA 8.0
Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt Odebolt, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dexter Elementary School

What grades does Dexter Elementary School serve?

Dexter Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Dexter Elementary School?

Dexter Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 181 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dexter Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dexter Elementary School rank in IA?

Dexter Elementary School is ranked #150 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Dexter Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dexter Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Dexter Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dexter Elementary School has 71.3% math proficiency and 72.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dexter Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Dexter Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

38.7% of students at Dexter 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (86/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Central Valley Comm School District
District Enrollment
855
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,052
District Rank
#1 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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