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Excellent

#208 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 16% in state

Martensdale Elementary School

Elementary School · Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District

PO BOX 350 390 Burlington, Martensdale, IA 50160

Enrollment

316

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#208 of 1,280

In Martensdale

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Martensdale Elementary School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Martensdale · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School

7.4/10

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

Orchard Hills Elementary

8.5/10

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

About Martensdale Elementary School

Martensdale Elementary School is a public elementary school in Martensdale, IA, part of Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District. Martensdale Elementary School serves approximately 316 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Martensdale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #208 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Martensdale Elementary School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Martensdale 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 Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)83% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,752
Chronic Absenteeism10.8%

Martensdale Elementary School — Students at Martensdale Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 77.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
86.6%
ELA
76.5%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Martensdale Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
84th percentile in IA
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
6.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.8%

Location

PO BOX 350 390 Burlington, Martensdale, IA 50160

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Martensdale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orchard Hills Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Irving Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Indianola), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Interstate 35 Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Truro), a more accessible option. For more schools in Martensdale, see our Martensdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School Martensdale 0.0 mi 7.4
Orchard Hills Elementary Norwalk 7.1 mi 8.5
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 7.4 mi
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 7.4 mi 6.5
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 7.7 mi
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 7.6 mi 6.1
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 7.7 mi 5.8
Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk 9.0 mi 6.7
Wilder Elementary School Indianola 7.6 mi 6.0
Whittier Elementary School Indianola 8.3 mi 5.5
Irving Elementary School Indianola 8.9 mi 8.3
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola 9.3 mi 3.9
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 11.7 mi 4.2
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 11.5 mi 4.9
Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines 12.8 mi 6.2
Valley Southwoods West Des Moines 13.0 mi 5.7
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 11.6 mi 3.1
Emerson Elementary School Indianola 9.9 mi 6.9
Learning Resource Center West Des Moines 13.2 mi
Interstate 35 Elementary School Truro 12.6 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50160 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,750

Median Home Value

$176,400

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

588

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

75.8%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

29

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bronson Elementary School Bronson, IA 8.1
Centennial Elementary Altoona, IA 8.1
Central Elementary Elkader, IA 8.1
Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA 8.1
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck, IA 8.1
Guthrie Center Elementary School Guthrie Center, IA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Martensdale Elementary School

What grades does Martensdale Elementary School serve?

Martensdale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Martensdale Elementary School?

Martensdale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 316 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Martensdale Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Martensdale Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Martensdale Elementary School rank in IA?

Martensdale Elementary School ranks #208 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Martensdale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Martensdale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Martensdale Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Martensdale Elementary School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Martensdale Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Martensdale Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

20.6% of students at Martensdale 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
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Warren County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.8%

District

Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District
District Enrollment
555
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,752
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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