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Needs Improvement

#1265 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Dodge

#7 of 7

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#653 of 662

In district

#7 of 7

Fort Dodge Comm School District

About Duncombe Elementary School

Duncombe Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Serving students from first through fifth grade, Duncombe Elementary has an enrollment of 454 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a remote area within Webster County.

Duncombe Elementary School focuses on providing foundational education to its young learners. While the MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for academic growth, the school works diligently to support student development across various subjects. On average, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 46% in Math, and 45% in Science according to state assessments.

Duncombe Elementary School serves a community with limited neighborhood data available, but it is part of the Fort Dodge area, providing education to children who might otherwise have fewer educational options due to their remote location.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Math vs. State Avg-31.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,778

Duncombe Elementary School — Students at Duncombe Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.5%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2025
Math
43.3%
ELA
45%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Duncombe Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
1th percentile in IA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

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. COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Taft Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), 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 5.9
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 4.0
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 0.8 mi 5.3
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge 0.8 mi 3.6
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 0.8 mi 4.3
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.2 mi 3.6
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.3 mi 8.1
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge 1.1 mi 5.6
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 12.3 mi 5.9
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 9.5 mi 7.0
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 14.2 mi 6.9
Humboldt High School Humboldt 14.3 mi 4.8
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 14.5 mi 4.0
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 14.7 mi 7.2
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 14.8 mi 5.2
Dayton Center Dayton 18.0 mi 5.0
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 17.0 mi 4.0
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 17.0 mi 5.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Duncombe Elementary School has a median household income of $66,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. 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
Adams Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.1
Tiffin Elementary Tiffin, IA 3.1
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.5
Jefferson Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.5
Madison Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.0
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 3.6

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 is ranked #1265 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Duncombe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Duncombe Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Duncombe Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Duncombe Elementary School has 46.5% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,310/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fort Dodge Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,611
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,013
District Rank
#7 of 7

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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