Excellent
#51 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 4% in state
Lake Mills Elementary School
Elementary School · Lake Mills Comm School District
102 S 4th Ave E, Lake Mills, IA 50450
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Mills
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#44 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Lake Mills Comm School District
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Lake Mills Elementary School
Lake Mills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lake Mills, IA, part of the Lake Mills Comm School District. The school serves approximately 316 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 96.1th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 83% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 84% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $76,522, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Lake Mills 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
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Lake Mills Elementary School — Students at Lake Mills Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Lake Mills Elementary School Compares
See how Lake Mills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
102 S 4th Ave E, Lake Mills, IA 50450
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Mills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HALVERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Forest City Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST THEODORE'S EL (rated 7.9/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lake Mills, see our Lake Mills schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills | 0.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Lake Mills Senior High School Lake Mills | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville | 5.9 mi | — |
| Forest City Middle School Forest City | 11.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Forest City High School Forest City | 11.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Forest City Elementary School Forest City | 12.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Next Step West (Alden) Alden | 17.7 mi | — |
| First Step Alden Austin | 17.9 mi | — |
| Enrich Alden Austin | 17.9 mi | — |
| ALDEN-CONGER ELEMENTARY Alden | 17.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ALDEN-CONGER SECONDARY Alden | 17.9 mi | 5.6 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea | 17.2 mi | 5.8 |
| SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 17.2 mi | 6.7 |
| HALVERSON ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 17.3 mi | 8.8 |
| LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 18.2 mi | 6.8 |
| ST THEODORE'S EL Albert Lea | 18.3 mi | 7.9 |
| GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville | 16.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Success East Austin | 16.5 mi | — |
| Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea | 18.9 mi | 7.2 |
| GLENVILLE-EMMONS SECONDARY Glenville | 16.6 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50450 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,522
Median Home Value
$157,500
Median Rent
$640/mo
Population
3,001
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
74.1%
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Mills Elementary School has a median household income of $76,522. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,500, with a median rent of $640/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton, IA | 8.4 |
| Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA | 8.4 |
| East Campus Elementary School Waukon, IA | 8.4 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 8.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City, IA | 8.4 |
| West Union Elementary School West Union, IA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Mills Elementary School
What grades does Lake Mills Elementary School serve?
Lake Mills Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Lake Mills Elementary School?
Lake Mills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 316 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Mills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Mills Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Mills Elementary School rank in IA?
Lake Mills Elementary School is ranked #51 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lake Mills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Mills Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Lake Mills Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Mills Elementary School has 82.8% math proficiency and 84.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lake Mills Elementary School a charter school?
No, Lake Mills Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lake Mills Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Lake Mills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Mills Elementary School?
32.3% of students at Lake Mills 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 316
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Winnebago County
- Phone
- (641) 592-1882
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lake Mills Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 670
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,708
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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