Below Average
#1192 of 1,280 schools in IA
Essex Elementary School
Elementary School · Essex Comm School District
111 Forbes St, Essex, IA 51638
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Essex
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#615 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Essex Comm School District
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Essex Elementary School
Essex Elementary School is a small, rural public school located in Essex, Iowa. With an enrollment of just 121 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The school covers pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has eight full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their young learners.
Essex Elementary School's academic performance is in line with many other schools across Iowa but shows room for improvement, particularly in science where only 31% of students are proficient or above. However, the school demonstrates stronger results in ELA/Reading and Math, with 60% and 61% of students meeting proficiency standards respectively. Situated in a rural setting, Essex Elementary School provides a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and families work together to foster learning and growth.
Despite its small size and rural location, the school is dedicated to supporting its students' educational needs and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 121 students, Essex 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, Essex 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
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Essex Elementary School — Students at Essex Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 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: 1.2/10.
How Essex Elementary School Compares
See how Essex Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 74.5% (2019) to 74.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 64.5% (2022).
Location
111 Forbes St, Essex, IA 51638
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Essex Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Page Elementary School (rated 10.0/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby College Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sylvia Enarson Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Villisca), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sidney Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Sidney), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Essex, see our Essex schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Essex Junior-Senior High School Essex | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Shenandoah High School Shenandoah | 6.0 mi | 6.9 |
| IGNITE Online & Personalized Learning Shenandoah | 6.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Logan Preschool Shenandoah | 5.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Shenandoah Elementary School Shenandoah | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Shenandoah Middle School Shenandoah | 6.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Red Oak Early Childhood Center Red Oak | 13.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Inman Elementary School Red Oak | 13.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Red Oak Junior/Senior High School Red Oak | 14.1 mi | 6.7 |
| East Mills Elementary School Hastings | 16.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Stanton Elementary School Stanton | 15.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Stanton High School Stanton | 15.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Clarinda High School Clarinda | 14.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CLARINDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Clarinda | 14.9 mi | 5.5 |
| South Page Elementary School College Springs | 17.5 mi | 10.0 |
| South Page Senior High School College Springs | 17.5 mi | — |
| Garfield Elementary School Clarinda | 15.9 mi | 7.5 |
| East Mills Jr/Sr High School Hastings | 19.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Sylvia Enarson Elementary School Villisca | 18.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Sidney Elementary School Sidney | 18.5 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,154
Median Home Value
$115,700
Median Rent
$688/mo
Population
1,278
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
79.7%
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
50.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Essex Elementary School has a median household income of $61,154. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,700, with a median rent of $688/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens, IA | 4.2 |
| Earlville Elementary School Earlville, IA | 4.3 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City, IA | 4.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Moulton, IA | 4.0 |
| NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cresco, IA | 4.5 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray, IA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Essex Elementary School
What grades does Essex Elementary School serve?
Essex Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Essex Elementary School?
Essex Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Essex 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 Essex Elementary School rank in IA?
Essex Elementary School is ranked #1192 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Essex Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Essex Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Essex Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Essex Elementary School has 61.3% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Essex Elementary School a charter school?
No, Essex Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Essex Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Essex Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Essex Elementary School?
48.8% of students at Essex 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (145/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 121
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Page County
- Phone
- (712) 379-3114
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Essex Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 215
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,141
- District Rank
- #2 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 methodologyRelated reading
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