Needs Improvement
#1202 of 1,280 schools in IA
Duncombe Elementary School
Elementary School · Fort Dodge Comm School District
1620 6th Ave. North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.3
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.3
Grades
1st – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,202 of 1,280
In Fort Dodge
#4 of 7
public schools
In district
#4 of 7
Fort Dodge Comm School District
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Duncombe Elementary School
Elementary School in Fort Dodge · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Early Childhood Center
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Edmond Catholic School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Duncombe Elementary School
Duncombe Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Dodge, IA, part of Fort Dodge Comm School District. Duncombe Elementary School serves approximately 454 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Duncombe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,202 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Duncombe Elementary School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.8
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Duncombe Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Duncombe Elementary School — Students at Duncombe Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.6/10.
How Duncombe Elementary School Compares
See how Duncombe Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1620 6th Ave. North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Duncombe Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Taft Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Dodge, see our Fort Dodge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge | 0.6 mi | 2.9 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge | 0.8 mi | 3.1 |
| Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge | 1.2 mi | 2.7 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum | 9.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Humboldt Middle School Humboldt | 14.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Humboldt High School Humboldt | 14.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City | 14.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Taft Elementary School Humboldt | 14.7 mi | 9.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt | 14.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Dayton Center Dayton | 18.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Robert Blue School Eagle Grove | 17.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove | 17.0 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,130
Median Home Value
$139,700
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
28,633
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
39.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Heritage Elementary Grimes, IA | 3.3 |
| Inman Elementary School Red Oak, IA | 3.3 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.4 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.4 |
| Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Duncombe Elementary School
What grades does Duncombe Elementary School serve?
Duncombe Elementary School serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend Duncombe Elementary School?
Duncombe Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Duncombe Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Duncombe Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Duncombe Elementary School rank in IA?
Duncombe Elementary School ranks #1,202 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Duncombe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Duncombe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Duncombe Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Duncombe Elementary School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Duncombe Elementary School a charter school?
No, Duncombe Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Duncombe Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Duncombe Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Duncombe Elementary School?
70.3% of students at Duncombe 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 454
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Webster County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.7%
- Phone
- (515) 574-5623
Resources & Links
District
Fort Dodge Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,611
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,013
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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