Average
#531 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 41% in state
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
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
427
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#531 of 1,280
In North Liberty
#4 of 7
public schools
In district
#9 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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James Van Allen Elementary School
Elementary School in North Liberty · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Central Junior High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Heritage Christian School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Van Allen Elementary School
James Van Allen Elementary School is a public elementary school in North Liberty, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. James Van Allen Elementary School serves approximately 427 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. James Van Allen Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #531 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for James Van Allen Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Van Allen Elementary School — Students at James Van Allen Elementary School score 73% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
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 35 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: 7.7/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Wickham Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Penn Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Hill Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Tiffin), 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 | 6.8 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Liberty | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Buford Garner Elementary North Liberty | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Penn Elementary School North Liberty | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville | 1.7 mi | — |
| Liberty High School North Liberty | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Wickham Elementary Coralville | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Christine Grant Elementary North Liberty | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville | 2.6 mi | — |
| North Bend Elementary North Liberty | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin | 2.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
| West Senior High School Iowa City | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin | 4.0 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass, IA | 6.9 |
| Cardinal Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 6.9 |
| Emerson Elementary School Indianola, IA | 6.9 |
| Farley Elementary School Farley, IA | 6.9 |
| Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 6.9 |
| Forest City Elementary School Forest City, IA | 6.9 |
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 ranks #531 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is James Van Allen Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Van Allen Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Van Allen Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Van Allen Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.4%
- Phone
- (319) 688-1185
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #9 of 29
Other Schools in This District
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