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Average

#792 of 1,280 schools in IA

Irwin Elementary School

Elementary School · IKM-Manning Comm School District

PO BOX 217 100 Eva Street, Irwin, IA 51446

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#439 of 662

In district

#3 of 3

IKM-Manning Comm School District

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Irwin Elementary School

Irwin Elementary School serves 229 students in prekindergarten through third grade in the small community of Irwin, Iowa. This highly-rated public elementary school ranks 74th out of 1,288 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. The school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in these crucial early learning years.

Academic performance is notably strong, with 84% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 74% meet or exceed standards in mathematics. Located on Eva Street in Shelby County, Irwin Elementary operates within a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $75,500 and median home values are $103,100. The surrounding ZIP code has a population of just 483 residents, with 20% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 16%.

This small-town elementary school provides a strong academic foundation for young learners in an intimate, rural Iowa setting where students can develop both academically and personally within a tight-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Irwin 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 Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5%
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,880

Irwin Elementary School — Students at Irwin Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
76.7%
ELA Proficiency 70.1%
School
State
69.1%

Based on 8 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
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2025
Math
88.6%
ELA
56.8%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Irwin Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
38th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

PO BOX 217 100 Eva Street, Irwin, IA 51446

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Irwin Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School (rated 8.2/10, 20.0 miles away, in nearby Westside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Denison Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Denison), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Audubon Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Audubon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Irwin, see our Irwin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.6 mi
School Distance Rating
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning 10.7 mi 6.8
IKM-Manning High School Manning 10.7 mi 6.1
Harlan High School Harlan 11.7 mi 4.5
Harlan Community Middle School Harlan 11.8 mi 6.3
Harlan Intermediate School Harlan 11.9 mi 5.2
Harlan Primary Harlan 11.9 mi 4.4
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan 12.0 mi 7.0
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn 16.1 mi 7.8
Denison Elementary School Denison 16.9 mi 8.1
Broadway Elementary School Denison 17.0 mi 6.8
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison 17.1 mi 5.0
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison 17.1 mi 6.5
Denison High School Denison 17.6 mi 6.7
Denison Middle School Denison 18.0 mi 7.9
Audubon Elementary School Audubon 15.2 mi 8.1
Audubon Middle-High School Audubon 15.7 mi 6.3
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 20.0 mi 7.2
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 20.0 mi 8.2
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City 17.3 mi 7.2
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 23.6 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51446 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,750

Median Home Value

$94,200

Median Rent

$700/mo

Population

437

College Educated

29.1%

Homeownership

88.5%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

18.7%

Median Age

50.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Irwin Elementary School has a median household income of $61,750. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,200, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.0
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah, IA 6.0
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing, IA 6.0
Janesville Elementary School Janesville, IA 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City, IA 6.0
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Irwin Elementary School

What grades does Irwin Elementary School serve?

Irwin Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Irwin Elementary School?

Irwin Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Irwin Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Irwin Elementary School rank in IA?

Irwin Elementary School is ranked #792 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Irwin Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Irwin Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Irwin Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Irwin Elementary School has 83.0% math proficiency and 70.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Irwin Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Irwin Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

38.9% of students at Irwin 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

County Safety
Low (153/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Shelby County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

IKM-Manning Comm School District
District Enrollment
713
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,038
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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