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Average

#563 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 44% in state

Harding Elementary School

Elementary School · Mason City Comm School District

1239 N. Rhode Island Ave, Mason City, IA 50401

Enrollment

357

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#563 of 1,280

In Mason City

#2 of 9

public schools

In district

#2 of 9

Mason City Comm School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Harding Elementary School

6.8/10

Elementary School in Mason City · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jefferson Elementary School

8.6/10

Mason City, IA. Compare side by side with Harding Elementary School before ruling this option in or out.

North Iowa Christian School

5.6/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Harding Elementary School

Harding Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mason City, IA, part of Mason City Comm School District. Harding Elementary School serves approximately 357 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Harding Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #563 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Harding Elementary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.9% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.8 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,155
Chronic Absenteeism22.1%

Harding Elementary School — Students at Harding Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
80%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
72%
ELA
71.9%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Harding Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
56th percentile in IA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1239 N. Rhode Island Ave, Mason City, IA 50401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harding Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jefferson Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear Creek Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs (rated 7.1/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Nora Springs), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 1.3 mi 5.6
John Adams Middle School Mason City 1.2 mi 5.2
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 1.3 mi 8.6
Alternative School Mason City 1.2 mi 2.2
Mason City High School Mason City 1.3 mi 3.7
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 2.0 mi 6.4
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 2.1 mi 2.4
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 2.2 mi 6.6
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 1.9 mi 4.9
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 3.5 mi 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 3.5 mi 5.4
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly 8.4 mi 6.3
Central Springs High School Manly 8.4 mi 6.9
Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs Nora Springs 9.1 mi 7.1
Central Springs Middle School Nora Springs 9.1 mi 6.2
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 12.5 mi 5.2
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 9.4 mi 8.8
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 9.5 mi 7.4
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 9.8 mi 7.3
West Fork High School Sheffield 18.5 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,807

Median Home Value

$134,100

Median Rent

$868/mo

Population

28,818

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

13.9 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

42.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 6.8
Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 6.8
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas, IA 6.8
Riceville Elementary School Riceville, IA 6.8
Sageville Elementary School Dubuque, IA 6.8
Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA 6.7

Compare Harding Elementary School with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harding Elementary School

What grades does Harding Elementary School serve?

Harding Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Harding Elementary School?

Harding Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Harding Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harding Elementary School rank in IA?

Harding Elementary School ranks #563 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Harding Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harding Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Harding Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Harding Elementary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Harding Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Harding Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

61.1% of students at Harding 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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does Harding Elementary School stack up?

Jefferson Elementary School
8.6

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Cerro Gordo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.1%

District

Mason City Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,509
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,155
District Rank
#2 of 9

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