Below Average
#1193 of 1,280 schools in IA
Laurens-marathon Elementary School
Elementary School · Laurens-Marathon Comm School District
300 W Garfield, Laurens, IA 50554
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#616 of 662
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Laurens-marathon Elementary School
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School in Laurens, Iowa, is a small rural public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 145 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated faculty consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students in this remote setting.
Academically, Laurens-Marathon Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks at number 870 among Iowa’s 1288 schools (32nd percentile). The school’s academic score is 4.2 out of 10, with 54% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 52% proficient or above in Math. While these numbers suggest room for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School is situated in a quiet rural area where community support plays a significant role in providing a nurturing environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 145 students, Laurens-marathon Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Laurens-marathon Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Laurens-marathon 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Laurens-marathon Elementary School — Students at Laurens-marathon Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 1.3/10.
How Laurens-marathon Elementary School Compares
See how Laurens-marathon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
300 W Garfield, Laurens, IA 50554
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Laurens-marathon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Albert City), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Emmetsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Emmetsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Laurens, see our Laurens schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,618
Median Home Value
$85,600
Median Rent
$738/mo
Population
1,639
College Educated
17.8%
Homeownership
74.4%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
44.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Laurens-marathon Elementary School has a median household income of $63,618. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $85,600, with a median rent of $738/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Essex Elementary School Essex, IA | 4.2 |
| Earlville Elementary School Earlville, IA | 4.3 |
| Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein, IA | 4.3 |
| West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend, IA | 4.3 |
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 4.0 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City, IA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Laurens-marathon Elementary School
What grades does Laurens-marathon Elementary School serve?
Laurens-marathon Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Laurens-marathon Elementary School?
Laurens-marathon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 145 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurens-marathon Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Laurens-marathon Elementary School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Laurens-marathon Elementary School rank in IA?
Laurens-marathon Elementary School is ranked #1193 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Laurens-marathon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurens-marathon Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Laurens-marathon Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurens-marathon Elementary School has 52.3% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Laurens-marathon Elementary School a charter school?
No, Laurens-marathon Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Laurens-marathon Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Laurens-marathon Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurens-marathon Elementary School?
41.4% of students at Laurens-marathon 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
- County Safety
- Low (156/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 145
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Pocahontas County
- Phone
- (712) 841-5000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laurens-Marathon Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 145
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,164
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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