Very Good
#365 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 28% in state
Melcher-dallas Elementary
Elementary School · Melcher-Dallas Comm School District
PO BOX 489 1003 E Park St, Dallas, IA 50062
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#235 of 662
In district
#1 of 2
Melcher-Dallas Comm School District
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Melcher-dallas Elementary
Melcher-Dallas Elementary, located in the heart of Dallas, Iowa, is a rural elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 156 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive. The dedicated teaching staff includes ten full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' learning journey.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Melcher-Dallas Elementary has an overall score of 5.0 out of 10 and is ranked at the 40th percentile among Iowa schools. Students perform well in ELA/Reading with 62% reaching proficiency or above, while 58% are proficient or above in Math and 50% in Science. Despite its modest academic rankings, Melcher-Dallas Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where each student can grow and develop.
The school is situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a nurturing place for young learners to explore and discover their potential.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 156 students, Melcher-dallas Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Melcher-dallas Elementary 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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Melcher-dallas Elementary — Students at Melcher-dallas Elementary score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How Melcher-dallas Elementary Compares
See how Melcher-dallas Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 489 1003 E Park St, Dallas, IA 50062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Melcher-dallas Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeast Warren Primary (rated 8.1/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Milo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Runnells Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Runnels), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hartford Upper Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dallas, see our Dallas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Melcher-Dallas High School Melcher | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville | 8.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville | 8.3 mi | 7.4 |
| West Elementary Knoxville | 8.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Southeast Warren Intermediate Lacona | 8.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Pleasantville High School Pleasantville | 10.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville | 10.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville | 10.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Northstar Elementary School Knoxville | 9.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Southeast Warren Primary Milo | 11.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Chariton Middle School Chariton | 14.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Van Allen Elementary School Chariton | 15.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Chariton High School Chariton | 15.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Columbus Elementary School Chariton | 15.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center | 13.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Hartford Upper Elementary Carlisle | 18.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey | 16.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Runnells Elementary Runnels | 20.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey | 16.2 mi | 6.6 |
| PCM High School Monroe | 20.7 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,714
Median Home Value
$163,100
Population
833
College Educated
17.8%
Homeownership
84.6%
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Melcher-dallas Elementary has a median household income of $70,714. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,100. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA | 7.2 |
| Oakland Elementary Oakland, IA | 7.2 |
| Parkersburg Elementary School Parkersburg, IA | 7.2 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames, IA | 7.2 |
| Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak, IA | 7.3 |
| English Valleys Elementary School North English, IA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Melcher-dallas Elementary
What grades does Melcher-dallas Elementary serve?
Melcher-dallas Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Melcher-dallas Elementary?
Melcher-dallas Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Melcher-dallas Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Melcher-dallas Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Melcher-dallas Elementary rank in IA?
Melcher-dallas Elementary is ranked #365 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Melcher-dallas Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Melcher-dallas Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Melcher-dallas Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Melcher-dallas Elementary has 58.0% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Melcher-dallas Elementary a charter school?
No, Melcher-dallas Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Melcher-dallas Elementary a Title I school?
No, Melcher-dallas Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Melcher-dallas Elementary?
30.1% of students at Melcher-dallas Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 156
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (641) 947-3151
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Melcher-Dallas Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 301
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,042
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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