Average
#559 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 44% in state
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
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#559 of 1,280
In Johnston
#3 of 8
public schools
In district
#3 of 8
Johnston Comm School District
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Lawson Elementary School
Elementary School in Johnston · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Henry a Wallace Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Johnston Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lawson Elementary School
Lawson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Johnston, IA, part of Johnston Comm School District. Lawson Elementary School serves approximately 595 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Lawson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #559 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Lawson Elementary School show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lawson Elementary School — Students at Lawson Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 35 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: 5.6/10.
How Lawson Elementary School Compares
See how Lawson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Henry A Wallace Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 7.5 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 2.2 mi | — |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 2.7 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 3.5 mi | 7.4 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 3.0 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Horizon Elementary Johnston | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle, IA | 6.8 |
| Harding Elementary School Mason City, IA | 6.8 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant, IA | 6.8 |
| Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA | 6.7 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon, IA | 6.7 |
| Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown, IA | 6.7 |
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 ranks #559 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lawson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Lawson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lawson Elementary School has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 11.9%
- Phone
- (515) 278-0478
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
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