Average
#622 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 49% in state
Helen a Hansen Elementary School
Elementary School · Cedar Falls Comm School District
616 Holmes Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Enrollment
565
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
565
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Falls
#7 of 10
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#356 of 662
In district
#7 of 10
Cedar Falls Comm School District
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Helen a Hansen Elementary School
Helen A Hansen Elementary School serves 565 students in grades PK through 6 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking 172nd out of 1,288 Iowa schools, the school places in the 87th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, with 88% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 82% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These impressive results reflect the dedication of 33 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 17.1 to 1, allowing for meaningful individual attention. Helen A Hansen Elementary draws families from a well-educated community where 48% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 50613 ZIP code area has a median household income of $72,239 and median home values of $250,000, indicating a stable residential neighborhood that values education.
The school's consistent academic performance and strong community support make it an attractive option for families seeking quality elementary education. Located on Holmes Drive in the heart of Cedar Falls, Helen A Hansen Elementary benefits from its small city setting that combines educational excellence with the close-knit feel of a supportive Iowa community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Helen a Hansen Elementary School — Students at Helen a Hansen Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Helen a Hansen Elementary School Compares
See how Helen a Hansen Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84% (2019) to 88% (2022).
Location
616 Holmes Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Helen a Hansen Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lou Henry Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Falls, see our Cedar Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50613 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,642
Median Home Value
$258,300
Median Rent
$1,176/mo
Population
43,680
College Educated
48.3%
Homeownership
64.7%
Avg Commute
14.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
30.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Helen a Hansen Elementary School has a median household income of $75,642. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,300, with a median rent of $1,176/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Greene County Elementary Jefferson, IA | 6.4 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 6.4 |
| Mary Welsh Elementary Williamsburg, IA | 6.4 |
| Prairie Hill Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.4 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City, IA | 6.4 |
| South Prairie Elementary Grimes, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Helen a Hansen Elementary School
What grades does Helen a Hansen Elementary School serve?
Helen a Hansen Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Helen a Hansen Elementary School?
Helen a Hansen Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 565 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen a Hansen Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Helen a Hansen Elementary School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Helen a Hansen Elementary School rank in IA?
Helen a Hansen Elementary School is ranked #622 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Helen a Hansen Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Helen a Hansen Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Helen a Hansen Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen a Hansen Elementary School has 86.7% math proficiency and 88.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Helen a Hansen Elementary School a charter school?
No, Helen a Hansen Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Helen a Hansen Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Helen a Hansen Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helen a Hansen Elementary School?
17.0% of students at Helen a Hansen 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
- County Safety
- Low (80/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 565
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Phone
- (319) 553-2775
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Falls Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,910
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,625
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.