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Average

#1051 of 1,280 schools in IA

Fairbank Elementary School

Elementary School · Wapsie Valley Comm School District

311 5th St N, Fairbank, IA 50629

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairbank

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#549 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Wapsie Valley Comm School District

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Fairbank Elementary School

Fairbank Elementary School serves 184 students in grades PK through 6 in the rural community of Fairbank, Iowa. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #146 out of 1288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile.

Students particularly excel in mathematics, with 87% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 72% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Fairbank Elementary serves a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $97,096 and the poverty rate remains low at just 2.7%. The neighborhood reflects typical rural Iowa characteristics, with median home values around $174,200 and a close-knit population of 2,374 residents in the surrounding area.

The school's consistent academic achievement and small-town setting create an environment where students can develop strong foundational skills while benefiting from the personal connections that characterize rural education. Located at 311 5th St N, Fairbank Elementary stands as an integral part of this tight-knit Buchanan County farming community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 184 students, Fairbank 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, Fairbank 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 Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)78%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,466

Fairbank Elementary School — Students at Fairbank Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.2%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 72.7%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 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
92%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
74.5%
ELA
72%

* 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 Fairbank Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
18th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

311 5th St N, Fairbank, IA 50629

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairbank Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dunkerton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Dunkerton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wings Park Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Oelwein), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jesup Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Jesup), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairbank, see our Fairbank schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 2.0 mi
Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank 3.3 mi
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 3.7 mi
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 4.8 mi 2.0
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 5.9 mi
Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank 5.5 mi 4.4
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 8.0 mi
Oelwein Online School Oelwein 6.6 mi 3.9
Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton 7.8 mi 8.4
Dunkerton High School Dunkerton 7.8 mi 6.4
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein 7.6 mi 4.3
Oelwein High School Oelwein 7.6 mi 4.8
Wings Park Elementary School Oelwein 7.8 mi 8.2
Oelwein Middle School Oelwein 7.8 mi 5.0
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 11.2 mi 7.8
Jesup High School Jesup 11.2 mi 5.0
Jesup Middle School Jesup 11.2 mi 6.3
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup 11.6 mi 6.0
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn 10.1 mi 7.1
COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Readlyn 9.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,750

Median Home Value

$193,900

Median Rent

$724/mo

Population

2,335

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

83.5%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

1.6%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairbank Elementary School has a median household income of $102,750. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,900, with a median rent of $724/month. The local poverty rate of 1.6% 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
Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 5.1
Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni, IA 5.1
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston, IA 5.1
Dayton Center Dayton, IA 5.0
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 5.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Manchester, IA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairbank Elementary School

What grades does Fairbank Elementary School serve?

Fairbank Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Fairbank Elementary School?

Fairbank Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairbank Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairbank Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairbank Elementary School rank in IA?

Fairbank Elementary School is ranked #1051 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fairbank Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairbank Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Fairbank Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairbank Elementary School has 79.2% math proficiency and 72.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairbank Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Fairbank Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Fairbank Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

22.8% of students at Fairbank 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
Elevated (969/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buchanan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wapsie Valley Comm School District
District Enrollment
680
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,234
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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