Average
#751 of 1,280 schools in IA
Lawson Elementary School
Elementary School · Johnston Comm School District
PO BOX 10 5450 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA 50131
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Johnston
#3 of 8
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#419 of 662
In district
#3 of 8
Johnston Comm School District
Equity
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Lawson Elementary School
Lawson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban area of Johnston, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Lawson Elementary boasts an enrollment of 595 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Lawson Elementary is solid, with 77% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in ELA/reading and 82% achieving the same in math.
In science, 70% of students are proficient or above. MySchoolScout rates the school a 6.3 out of 10 overall, placing it at the 68th percentile among Iowa schools. While Lawson Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area with room for academic growth, it continues to focus on developing well-rounded students and providing them with a strong educational foundation.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Lawson Elementary School — Students at Lawson Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.4/10.
How Lawson Elementary School Compares
See how Lawson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 10 5450 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA 50131
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lawson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Johnston, see our Johnston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 2.2 mi | — |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 2.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Horizon Elementary Johnston | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$103,316
Median Home Value
$347,100
Median Rent
$1,284/mo
Population
24,388
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lawson Elementary School has a median household income of $103,316. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,100, with a median rent of $1,284/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Adel Elementary School Adel, IA | 6.1 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville, IA | 6.1 |
| Demoney Elementary Estherville, IA | 6.1 |
| Epworth Elementary School Epworth, IA | 6.1 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 6.1 |
| Leeds Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lawson Elementary School
What grades does Lawson Elementary School serve?
Lawson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Lawson Elementary School?
Lawson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 595 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lawson Elementary School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lawson Elementary School rank in IA?
Lawson Elementary School is ranked #751 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lawson Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Lawson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawson Elementary School has 81.8% math proficiency and 77.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lawson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Lawson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lawson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Lawson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawson Elementary School?
37.5% of students at Lawson 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (826/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Johnston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 595
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 278-0478
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Johnston Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,480
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,378
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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