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Needs Improvement

#1245 of 1,280 schools in IA

Margaretta Carey Elementary School

Elementary School · Waverly-Shell Rock Comm School District

220 9th Ave NW, Waverly, IA 50677

Enrollment

238

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waverly

#5 of 6

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#640 of 662

In district

#6 of 7

Waverly-Shell Rock Comm School District

Academic performance

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Margaretta Carey Elementary School

Margaretta Carey Elementary School is a charming public school in Waverly, Iowa, serving students from kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 238 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. Located at 220 9th Ave NW, Margaretta Carey Elementary is situated in a friendly town setting where community engagement is strong.

The academic performance reflects solid results in both ELA/Reading and Math, with 70% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in reading and 80% doing the same in math. While the MySchoolScout rating places Margaretta Carey Elementary at 4.8 out of 10, indicating room for growth, the school’s strong performance in specific subjects suggests a focus on student development and support. Margaretta Carey Elementary is a welcoming place where children can thrive academically and socially within their close-knit community.

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-2.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,688

Margaretta Carey Elementary School — Students at Margaretta Carey Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
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
87%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
72%

* 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 Margaretta Carey Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
3th percentile in IA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

220 9th Ave NW, Waverly, IA 50677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Margaretta Carey Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shell Rock Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Shell Rock), which scores notably higher. Another option is Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building (rated 7.6/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Cedar Falls), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waverly, see our Waverly schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waverly 0.5 mi 5.8
West Cedar Elementary School Waverly 0.9 mi 6.7
Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School Waverly 1.2 mi 5.6
Southeast Elementary School Waverly 1.3 mi 5.4
Greenview Alternative School Waverly 1.2 mi 3.3
Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School Waverly 1.3 mi 8.2
Janesville Elementary School Janesville 5.9 mi 6.0
Janesville Junior-Senior High School Janesville 5.9 mi 5.7
Shell Rock Elementary School Shell Rock 5.5 mi 9.2
Denver Early Elementary School Denver 8.4 mi 7.2
Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building Denver 8.6 mi 7.6
Denver Middle School Denver 9.0 mi 6.3
Denver Senior High School Denver 9.0 mi 7.0
North Cedar Elementary School Cedar Falls 12.2 mi 6.0
Clarksville Elementary School Clarksville 10.3 mi 5.7
Clarksville High School Clarksville 10.3 mi 7.4
Holmes Junior High School Cedar Falls 13.9 mi 7.1
Helen A Hansen Elementary School Cedar Falls 14.0 mi 6.4
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls 14.0 mi 7.6
Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls 14.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50677 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,950

Median Home Value

$221,600

Median Rent

$880/mo

Population

12,655

College Educated

41.1%

Homeownership

74.4%

Avg Commute

17.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Margaretta Carey Elementary School has a median household income of $82,950. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,600, with a median rent of $880/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain, IA 3.7
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 3.6
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.6
Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison, IA 3.6
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA 3.9
James Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Margaretta Carey Elementary School

What grades does Margaretta Carey Elementary School serve?

Margaretta Carey Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Margaretta Carey Elementary School?

Margaretta Carey Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 238 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Margaretta Carey Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Margaretta Carey Elementary School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Margaretta Carey Elementary School rank in IA?

Margaretta Carey Elementary School is ranked #1245 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Margaretta Carey Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Margaretta Carey Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Margaretta Carey Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Margaretta Carey Elementary School has 80.3% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Margaretta Carey Elementary School a charter school?

No, Margaretta Carey Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Margaretta Carey Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Margaretta Carey Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Margaretta Carey Elementary School?

28.2% of students at Margaretta Carey 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
Elevated (1,027/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Waverly). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
238
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Bremer County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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