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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,193

Liberty Elementary School — Students at Liberty Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

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 47.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
54%
ELA
50%
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: 1.7/10.

How Liberty Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
1th percentile in IA
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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