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Below Average

#1101 of 1,280 schools in IA

Helen Lemme Elementary School

Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District

3100 Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52245

Enrollment

371

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Iowa City

#13 of 16

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#568 of 662

In district

#24 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Helen Lemme Elementary School

Helen Lemme Elementary School is a regular public school in Iowa City, Johnson County, offering education from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 371 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, the school provides individualized attention to its learners. The dedicated faculty includes 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students’ academic growth.

Helen Lemme Elementary School’s state ranking is #608 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 53rd percentile. The school has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 69%, a Math proficiency rate of 69%, and a Science proficiency rate of 62%. These scores show there’s room for improvement but also highlight areas where students are excelling.

Located in a small city setting, Helen Lemme Elementary School benefits from the community's close-knit atmosphere, fostering a nurturing environment for young learners to thrive.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.9 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,042

Helen Lemme Elementary School — Students at Helen Lemme Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 68.6%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 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
78%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
70%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
65.7%
ELA
66.4%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Helen Lemme Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in IA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

3100 Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52245

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Helen Lemme Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Herbert Hoover Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY (rated 7.4/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Iowa City, see our Iowa City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City 0.8 mi 5.3
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 0.8 mi 7.1
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 0.9 mi 6.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 0.9 mi 6.4
Iowa City High School Iowa City 1.0 mi 6.7
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 1.3 mi 5.5
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 1.5 mi 5.1
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 1.5 mi 7.6
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 1.6 mi 5.4
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 1.7 mi 4.6
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 1.9 mi 7.2
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 2.2 mi 6.1
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 2.0 mi 8.3
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 2.3 mi 7.2
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City 2.4 mi 5.9
Alexander Elementary Iowa City 3.1 mi 7.0
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 3.4 mi 4.7
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 4.0 mi 6.7
Central Elementary School Coralville 4.5 mi 6.1
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville 4.8 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52245 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,876

Median Home Value

$293,300

Median Rent

$1,215/mo

Population

22,765

College Educated

68.3%

Homeownership

57.7%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

31.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Helen Lemme Elementary School has a median household income of $75,876. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,300, with a median rent of $1,215/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
East Mills Elementary School Hastings, IA 4.8
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.8
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine, IA 4.8
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City, IA 4.8
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale, IA 4.8
Farley Elementary School Farley, IA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helen Lemme Elementary School

What grades does Helen Lemme Elementary School serve?

Helen Lemme Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Helen Lemme Elementary School?

Helen Lemme Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen Lemme Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Helen Lemme Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Helen Lemme Elementary School rank in IA?

Helen Lemme Elementary School is ranked #1101 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Helen Lemme Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Helen Lemme Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Lemme Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen Lemme Elementary School has 68.7% math proficiency and 68.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Helen Lemme Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Helen Lemme Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

37.2% of students at Helen Lemme 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

City Safety
High (2,000/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Johnson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Iowa City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,776
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#24 of 29

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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