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Needs Improvement

#1211 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

3.2

Grades

3rd – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,211 of 1,280

In Ottumwa

#8 of 10

public schools

In district

#8 of 10

Ottumwa Comm School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Liberty Elementary School

3.2/10

Elementary School in Ottumwa · grades 3rd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pickwick Early Childhood Center

2.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Evans Middle School

4.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Liberty Elementary School

Liberty Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ottumwa, IA, part of Ottumwa Comm School District. Liberty Elementary School serves approximately 764 students, and covers grades 3rd-6th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Liberty Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,211 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Liberty Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Liberty Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-1.98 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency44% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,391
Chronic Absenteeism11.4%

Liberty Elementary School — Students at Liberty Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 20 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
70%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
45%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Liberty Elementary School Compares

See how Liberty Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
6th percentile in IA
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.2/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Fremont), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blakesburg Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Blakesburg), 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 2.6
Evans Middle School Ottumwa 0.7 mi 4.0
Douma Elementary School Ottumwa 0.6 mi 5.3
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 3.7
James Elementary School Ottumwa 2.8 mi 5.0
Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa 2.5 mi 4.8
Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa 3.4 mi 5.3
Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa 3.2 mi 1.6
Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa 4.7 mi 6.8
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 10.6 mi 6.7
Cardinal High School Eldon 10.7 mi 7.0
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 10.7 mi 7.7
Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg 10.7 mi 6.9
Fremont Elementary Fremont 15.2 mi 7.2
Davis County Elementary Bloomfield 16.5 mi 5.9
Davis County Middle School Bloomfield 16.5 mi 4.7
Davis County Community High School Bloomfield 16.7 mi 5.2

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Heritage Elementary Grimes, IA 3.3
Inman Elementary School Red Oak, IA 3.3
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.1
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake, IA 3.4
Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola, IA 3.5
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.5

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 ranks #1,211 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Liberty Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Liberty Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Liberty Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Liberty Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.4%

District

Ottumwa Comm School District
District Enrollment
5,011
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,391
District Rank
#8 of 10

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