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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,186

Laurens-marathon Elementary School — Students at Laurens-marathon Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.3%
School
State
74.7%
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
73.3%

Based on 12 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
37.6%
ELA
45.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 7.0 mi 8.8
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 12.2 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 12.3 mi 5.4
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 12.3 mi
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 19.5 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 19.5 mi 6.3
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 18.6 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 18.6 mi 6.8
Newell-Fonda High School Newell 18.6 mi 6.1
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 15.2 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 15.2 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 15.2 mi 6.8
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 19.3 mi 7.3
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 20.0 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 20.0 mi 8.6
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 19.9 mi 7.8
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 27.0 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 27.0 mi 6.9
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 22.4 mi 7.7
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 22.4 mi 5.6

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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