Skip to main content

Below Average

#996 of 1,280 schools in IA

Keystone Elementary School

Elementary School · Benton Comm School District

280 4th St, Keystone, IA 52249

Enrollment

173

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#996 of 1,280

In district

#5 of 5

Benton Comm School District

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Keystone Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Keystone Elementary School

4.9/10

Elementary School in Keystone · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benton Community Senior High School

5.4/10

5.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Benton Community Middle School

6.8/10

5.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Keystone Elementary School

Keystone Elementary School is a public elementary school in Keystone, IA, part of Benton Comm School District. Keystone Elementary School serves approximately 173 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Keystone Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #996 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Keystone Elementary School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 173 students, Keystone Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Keystone Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2015–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,044
Chronic Absenteeism12.7%

Keystone Elementary School — Students at Keystone Elementary School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.1% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
76.7% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 75.7% (multi-year average, 2015-2025)
School
State
69.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2015
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2016
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2017
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2025
Math
81.3%
ELA
75%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Keystone Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
22th percentile in IA
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

280 4th St, Keystone, IA 52249

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Keystone Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. La Porte City Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby La Porte City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Dysart), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shellsburg Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Shellsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Keystone, see our Keystone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Community Senior High School Van Horne 5.8 mi 5.4
Benton Community Middle School Van Horne 5.8 mi 6.8
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine 8.6 mi 6.6
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine 8.7 mi 7.1
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 12.9 mi 9.2
Union Middle School Dysart 12.9 mi 8.6
Vinton-Shellsburg High School Vinton 13.5 mi 7.5
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Vinton 13.8 mi 8.0
Tilford Elementary School Vinton 14.2 mi 7.9
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo 15.4 mi 6.9
Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo 15.6 mi 6.7
Norway Elementary School Norway 15.5 mi 6.6
H-L-V Junior-Senior High School Victor 19.5 mi 6.4
H-L-V Elementary School Victor 19.5 mi 5.9
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 21.1 mi 9.4
Union High School La Porte City 21.5 mi 6.9
North Tama High School Traer 18.8 mi 5.1
North Tama Elementary Traer 18.8 mi 5.7
Atkins Elementary School Atkins 17.0 mi 6.7
Shellsburg Elementary School Shellsburg 18.0 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52249 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,500

Median Home Value

$154,400

Median Rent

$992/mo

Population

1,106

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

86.5%

Avg Commute

31.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

40.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey, IA 4.9
James Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 5.0
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 5.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Manchester, IA 5.0
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens, IA 4.8
Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Keystone Elementary School

What grades does Keystone Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Keystone Elementary School?

Keystone Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Keystone Elementary School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Keystone Elementary School rank in IA?

Keystone Elementary School ranks #996 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Keystone Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Keystone Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Keystone Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Keystone Elementary School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2025).

Is Keystone Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Keystone Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

35.3% of students at Keystone 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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Benton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.7%

District

Benton Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,640
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,044
District Rank
#5 of 5

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.