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Average

#559 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 44% in state

Glidden-ralston Elementary School

Elementary School · Glidden-Ralston Comm School District

PO BOX 488, Glidden, IA 51443

Enrollment

237

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Glidden

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#333 of 662

In district

#2 of 2

Glidden-Ralston Comm School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Glidden-ralston Elementary School

Glidden-Ralston Elementary School is a rural public elementary school located in Glidden, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 237 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Glidden-Ralston Elementary is currently rated as having room for improvement, with state rankings placing it in the 17th percentile out of all schools in Iowa.

Test scores show that 68% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 73% are proficient or above in Math, while 59% meet proficiency standards in Science. With a focus on student development and community engagement, Glidden-Ralston Elementary is dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment for its rural setting. The school’s location offers a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Glidden-ralston Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Glidden-ralston 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 Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
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 Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,161

Glidden-ralston Elementary School — Students at Glidden-ralston Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 68.4%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 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
57%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
82.8%
ELA
75.7%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Glidden-ralston Elementary School Compares

See how Glidden-ralston Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in IA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 488, Glidden, IA 51443

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Glidden-ralston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School (rated 8.2/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Westside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Adams Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Carroll), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Central Calhoun Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Rockwell City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Glidden, see our Glidden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden 0.0 mi 6.7
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 6.8 mi 6.5
Carroll Middle School Carroll 7.2 mi 5.1
Carroll High School Carroll 7.2 mi 6.7
Adams Elementary School Carroll 7.1 mi 7.2
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 7.1 mi 6.0
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids 12.9 mi 5.2
Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids 12.9 mi 7.7
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City 14.2 mi 5.8
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan 14.6 mi 5.7
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 14.6 mi 6.6
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 23.3 mi 4.8
Greene County High School Jefferson 17.7 mi 6.1
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 23.7 mi 7.1
Greene County Middle School Jefferson 18.6 mi 5.8
Greene County Elementary Jefferson 18.7 mi 6.4
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning 20.1 mi 6.8
IKM-Manning High School Manning 20.1 mi 6.1
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 19.2 mi 7.2
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 19.2 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,472

Median Home Value

$181,500

Median Rent

$531/mo

Population

1,623

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

84.4%

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Glidden-ralston Elementary School has a median household income of $78,472. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,500, with a median rent of $531/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Grant Center Albia, IA 6.6
Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville, IA 6.6
Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona, IA 6.6
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dyersville, IA 6.6
ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 6.6
Stuart Elementary School Stuart, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Glidden-ralston Elementary School

What grades does Glidden-ralston Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Glidden-ralston Elementary School?

Glidden-ralston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 237 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Glidden-ralston Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Glidden-ralston Elementary School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Glidden-ralston Elementary School rank in IA?

Glidden-ralston Elementary School is ranked #559 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Glidden-ralston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Glidden-ralston Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Glidden-ralston Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glidden-ralston Elementary School has 73.2% math proficiency and 68.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Glidden-ralston Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Glidden-ralston Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Glidden-ralston Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Glidden-ralston Elementary School?

39.7% of students at Glidden-ralston 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
237
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Carroll County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Glidden-Ralston Comm School District
District Enrollment
393
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,337
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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