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Very Good

#265 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 21% in state

Based on limited data

Johnson Elementary

Elementary School · Spencer Comm School District

724 West 9th Street, Spencer, IA 51301

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

217

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – Kindergarten

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spencer

#1 of 5

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#179 of 662

In district

#1 of 5

Spencer Comm School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Johnson Elementary

Johnson Elementary serves 217 students in prekindergarten through kindergarten in Spencer, Iowa, offering a focused early childhood educational environment. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio, providing personalized attention during these crucial foundational years. The school has earned recognition for its quality programming, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #219 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Iowa schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to preparing young learners for their educational journey ahead. Johnson Elementary is situated in a stable community where the median household income is $59,987 and median home value is $160,600. The neighborhood demonstrates educational value, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining an affordable cost of living with a poverty rate of 12.6%.

As the only school in the district serving the earliest grades, Johnson Elementary plays a vital role in establishing strong academic foundations for Spencer's youngest students. The school is located in a remote town setting that fosters a close-knit community atmosphere where educators, families, and students can build meaningful relationships that support each child's development.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on IA state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,330

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Johnson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

724 West 9th Street, Spencer, IA 51301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Hartley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.7 mi
School Distance Rating
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 0.3 mi 6.8
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 1.0 mi 5.2
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 1.1 mi 3.9
Spencer High School Spencer 1.2 mi 5.8
Spencer Middle School Spencer 1.4 mi 5.9
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 1.7 mi 6.2
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 8.7 mi 8.1
Okoboji Middle School Milford 12.2 mi 7.8
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 12.2 mi 8.6
Okoboji High School Milford 12.3 mi 5.2
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 14.3 mi 9.1
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 12.9 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 12.9 mi 6.3
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 18.8 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 18.8 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 18.8 mi 6.8
Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake 18.7 mi 7.2
Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake 18.7 mi 6.3
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 18.9 mi 4.1
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley 16.7 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,175

Median Home Value

$180,400

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

12,402

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

17.3 min

Poverty Rate

13%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Johnson Elementary has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA 7.5
Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus, IA 7.5
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale, IA 7.5
LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA 7.5
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake, IA 7.5
Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnson Elementary

What grades does Johnson Elementary serve?

Johnson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.

How many students attend Johnson Elementary?

Johnson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 217 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Johnson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Johnson Elementary is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnson Elementary rank in IA?

Johnson Elementary is ranked #265 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Johnson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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.

Is Johnson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Johnson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Johnson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

45.6% of students at Johnson Elementary 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

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,052/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
217
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Clay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Spencer Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,267
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,081
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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