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Needs Improvement

#1230 of 1,280 schools in IA

Fairview Park Elementary

Elementary School · Spencer Comm School District

PO BOX 200 1508 5th Avenue East, Spencer, IA 51301

Enrollment

262

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

3.9

Grades

1st – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spencer

#5 of 5

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#634 of 662

In district

#5 of 5

Spencer Comm School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Fairview Park Elementary

Fairview Park Elementary serves students in grades 1 and 2 in Spencer, Iowa, with an enrollment of 262 students. This public elementary school maintains a strong student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with personalized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #220 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Iowa schools.

This solid ranking reflects the school's commitment to supporting young learners as they build foundational academic skills. Fairview Park Elementary operates within a stable community where the median household income is $59,987 and median home value reaches $160,600. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 12.6%, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a mix of educational backgrounds among families in the district.

Located in the remote town of Spencer in Clay County, Fairview Park Elementary provides early elementary education in a close-knit rural Iowa community, where families can expect their youngest students to receive focused attention during these formative school years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,330

Fairview Park Elementary — Students at Fairview Park Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 82.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
47%

* 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: 1.1/10.

How Fairview Park Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
4th percentile in IA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

PO BOX 200 1508 5th Avenue East, Spencer, IA 51301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairview Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Another option is Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clay Central-Everly Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Royal), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Spencer Middle School Spencer 0.4 mi 5.9
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 0.7 mi 6.2
Spencer High School Spencer 0.9 mi 5.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 0.8 mi 6.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 1.1 mi 7.5
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 1.7 mi 5.2
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 11.7 mi 8.6
Okoboji Middle School Milford 11.7 mi 7.8
Okoboji High School Milford 11.8 mi 5.2
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 9.8 mi 8.1
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 13.4 mi 9.1
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 12.0 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 12.0 mi 6.3
Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake 18.1 mi 7.2
Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake 18.1 mi 6.3
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 18.3 mi 4.1
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 19.3 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 19.3 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 19.3 mi 6.8
Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park 22.2 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,175

Median Home Value

$180,400

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

12,402

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

13%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairview Park Elementary has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
James Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 3.9
James Wilson Grimes School Burlington, IA 3.9
Murray Elementary School Murray, IA 3.9
Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA 4.0
Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.0
Hoover Elementary School Dubuque, IA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairview Park Elementary

What grades does Fairview Park Elementary serve?

Fairview Park Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 2nd.

How many students attend Fairview Park Elementary?

Fairview Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 262 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairview Park Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairview Park Elementary is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairview Park Elementary rank in IA?

Fairview Park Elementary is ranked #1230 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fairview Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairview Park Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Fairview Park Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairview Park Elementary has 82.0% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairview Park Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Fairview Park Elementary a Title I school?

No, Fairview Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

43.9% of students at Fairview Park 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,052/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 2nd
Enrollment
262
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Clay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Spencer Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,267
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,081
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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