Below Average
#1156 of 1,280 schools in IA
James Van Allen Elementary School
Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District
170 Abigail Ave, North Liberty, IA 52317
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Liberty
#7 of 7
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#598 of 662
In district
#29 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About James Van Allen Elementary School
James Van Allen Elementary School is a regular public school located in North Liberty, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 427 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 29 full-time equivalent teachers who focus on fostering a supportive educational environment.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, James Van Allen Elementary School has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 10 and is ranked 30th percentile among Iowa schools. Students at the school perform well in core subjects: 72% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 73% in Math, and 69% in Science. While there is room for improvement in academic scores, the school continues to prioritize student development and growth.
Located in a mid-size suburb, James Van Allen Elementary School benefits from a community that values education and supports its students both inside and outside of the classroom.
Score Breakdown
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James Van Allen Elementary School — Students at James Van Allen Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How James Van Allen Elementary School Compares
See how James Van Allen Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
170 Abigail Ave, North Liberty, IA 52317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Van Allen Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Penn Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wickham Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Liberty, see our North Liberty schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Central Junior High School North Liberty | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Liberty | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Buford Garner Elementary North Liberty | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Penn Elementary School North Liberty | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville | 1.7 mi | — |
| Liberty High School North Liberty | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Wickham Elementary Coralville | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Christine Grant Elementary North Liberty | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville | 2.6 mi | — |
| North Bend Elementary North Liberty | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin | 2.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville | 3.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| West Senior High School Iowa City | 5.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,156
Median Home Value
$314,700
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
22,392
College Educated
54.1%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Van Allen Elementary School has a median household income of $108,156. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,700, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Grant Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 4.5 |
| Harrison Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.5 |
| Mark Twain Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 4.5 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 4.5 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny, IA | 4.5 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Van Allen Elementary School
What grades does James Van Allen Elementary School serve?
James Van Allen Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend James Van Allen Elementary School?
James Van Allen Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 427 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Van Allen Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Van Allen Elementary School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Van Allen Elementary School rank in IA?
James Van Allen Elementary School is ranked #1156 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is James Van Allen Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Van Allen Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 James Van Allen Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Van Allen Elementary School has 72.8% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Van Allen Elementary School a charter school?
No, James Van Allen Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Van Allen Elementary School a Title I school?
No, James Van Allen Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Van Allen Elementary School?
31.1% of students at James Van Allen 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
- City Safety
- Average (467/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Liberty). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 427
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Johnson County
- Phone
- (319) 688-1185
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #29 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 methodologyRelated reading
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