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Excellent

#49 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 4% in state

Dunkerton Elementary

Elementary School · Dunkerton Comm School District

509 Canfield, Dunkerton, IA 50626

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dunkerton

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#42 of 662

In district

#1 of 2

Dunkerton Comm School District

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Dunkerton Elementary

Dunkerton Elementary is a public elementary school in Dunkerton, IA, part of the Dunkerton Comm School District. The school serves approximately 223 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 96.2th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 80% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 72% in reading/language arts, 0 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 $82,552, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dunkerton Elementary 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 Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,382

Dunkerton Elementary — Students at Dunkerton Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 71.9%
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
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
85.2%
ELA
76.8%

* 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 Dunkerton Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
96th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

509 Canfield, Dunkerton, IA 50626

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunkerton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Poyner Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Evansdale), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jesup Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Jesup), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Readlyn Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Readlyn), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dunkerton, see our Dunkerton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Dunkerton High School Dunkerton 0.0 mi 6.4
Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank 7.9 mi 4.4
COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Readlyn 7.6 mi
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 7.7 mi 7.8
Jesup High School Jesup 7.7 mi 5.0
Jesup Middle School Jesup 7.7 mi 6.3
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup 8.1 mi 6.0
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank 7.8 mi 5.1
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 7.5 mi 2.0
Bunger Middle School Evansdale 8.8 mi 6.6
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 8.1 mi
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn 10.0 mi 7.1
Poyner Elementary Evansdale 9.0 mi 8.0
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 8.9 mi 5.5
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 8.9 mi 6.2
Cunningham School Waterloo 9.2 mi 6.6
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 9.0 mi
East High School Waterloo 9.7 mi 5.6
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 9.5 mi
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 9.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,552

Median Home Value

$196,800

Median Rent

$723/mo

Population

1,478

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

81.2%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.6%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunkerton Elementary has a median household income of $82,552. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,800, with a median rent of $723/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA 8.4
East Campus Elementary School Waukon, IA 8.4
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 8.4
West Union Elementary School West Union, IA 8.4
Alta Elementary School Alta, IA 8.3
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunkerton Elementary

What grades does Dunkerton Elementary serve?

Dunkerton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Dunkerton Elementary?

Dunkerton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dunkerton Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dunkerton Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dunkerton Elementary rank in IA?

Dunkerton Elementary is ranked #49 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Dunkerton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunkerton Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Dunkerton Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunkerton Elementary has 80.3% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dunkerton Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Dunkerton Elementary a Title I school?

No, Dunkerton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

49.8% of students at Dunkerton Elementary 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (80/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Black Hawk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dunkerton Comm School District
District Enrollment
431
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,906
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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