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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,535

Essex Elementary School — Students at Essex Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.3%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 59.9%
School
State
73.9%

Based on 11 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
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2025
Math
41.6%
ELA
47.9%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Essex Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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