Needs Improvement
#1275 of 1,280 schools in IA
Liberty Elementary School
Elementary School · Ottumwa Comm School District
50 Traxler Drive, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
2.8
Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
2.8
Grades
3rd – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ottumwa
#10 of 10
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#659 of 662
In district
#10 of 10
Ottumwa Comm School District
About Liberty Elementary School
Liberty Elementary School serves students in grades 3 through 6 in Ottumwa, Iowa, a rural area near town. The school enrolls 764 students with 55 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, creating a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. Academically, Liberty Elementary is working to improve student performance.
Currently, about 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 47% meet proficiency standards in math. These results indicate the school has significant room for academic growth as it works to strengthen student achievement across core subjects. The school's academic performance is reflected in its state ranking, placing it among schools with lower achievement levels statewide.
With a student body of nearly 800 students, Liberty Elementary represents a substantial enrollment for a rural elementary school. The consistent student-teacher ratio of roughly 14 students per teacher suggests reasonable class sizes for a school of its size. Parents considering Liberty Elementary should be aware of the school's current academic challenges and may want to explore what initiatives the school is undertaking to support student learning and improvement.
The school's rural setting near Ottumwa provides the community context in which the school operates.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Liberty 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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Liberty Elementary School — Students at Liberty Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 1.7/10.
How Liberty Elementary School Compares
See how Liberty Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
50 Traxler Drive, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Liberty Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fremont Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Fremont), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Davis County Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Bloomfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ottumwa, see our Ottumwa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 0.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | — |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 3.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 10.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg | 10.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Fremont Elementary Fremont | 15.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 16.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Davis County Middle School Bloomfield | 16.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Davis County Community High School Bloomfield | 16.7 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,091
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$955/mo
Population
30,341
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
65.5%
Avg Commute
18.6 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Liberty Elementary School has a median household income of $59,091. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $955/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa, IA | 2.9 |
| Adams Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.1 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
| Heritage Elementary Grimes, IA | 3.6 |
| Garfield Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.1 |
| West Willow Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Liberty Elementary School
What grades does Liberty Elementary School serve?
Liberty Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend Liberty Elementary School?
Liberty Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 764 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Liberty Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Liberty Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Liberty Elementary School rank in IA?
Liberty Elementary School is ranked #1275 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Liberty Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Liberty Elementary School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Liberty Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Liberty Elementary School has 47.0% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Liberty Elementary School a charter school?
No, Liberty Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Liberty Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Liberty Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Liberty Elementary School?
56.7% of students at Liberty 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
- High (3,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ottumwa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 764
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Wapello County
- Phone
- (641) 682-4502
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ottumwa Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,011
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,391
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
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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