Excellent
#4 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 1% 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
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mason City
#1 of 9
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#4 of 662
In district
#1 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Harding Elementary School
Harding Elementary serves 357 students in grades PK through 4 in Mason City, Iowa — a regular public school earning a composite score of 9.3/10 and an Exceptional rating. It ranks #4 among 1,280 public schools in Iowa, outperforming 100% of schools statewide. Among Iowa's 662 elementary schools specifically, Harding holds that same #4 position, a standing built on consistent, measurable results rather than selective enrollment or favorable demographics.
The growth score of 10.0/10 is the number parents should notice first. That's a perfect mark, meaning students at Harding advance academically at a pace that surpasses virtually every school in the state. An academic score of 8.2/10 confirms the gains are real and sustained.
A 13.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio keeps instruction personal — teachers have the capacity to identify gaps early and close them before they compound across grade levels. Harding also leads Mason City outright, ranked first among all nine public schools in the district. For families comparing elementary options in northern Iowa, few schools in the state can match the combination of growth momentum and academic achievement the data shows here.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Harding Elementary School — Students at Harding Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 10.0/10.
How Harding Elementary School Compares
See how Harding Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs (rated 8.7/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Nora Springs), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding Elementary School has a median household income of $63,807. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,100, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley, IA | 9.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mason City, IA | 9.2 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Sioux City, IA | 9.0 |
| Whittier Elementary School Clinton, IA | 8.9 |
| Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax, IA | 8.8 |
| Francis Marion Intermediate School Marion, IA | 8.8 |
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 is ranked #4 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Harding Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Harding Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding Elementary School has 60.0% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 25 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 19 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 35 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,561/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mason City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (641) 421-4406
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mason City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,509
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,155
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
Compare This School
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 methodologyRelated reading
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