Very Good
#320 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 25% in state
Montezuma Elementary School
Elementary School · Montezuma Comm School District
PO BOX 580 504 N 4th St, Montezuma, IA 50171
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montezuma
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#207 of 662
In district
#2 of 3
Montezuma Comm School District
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Montezuma Elementary School
Montezuma Elementary School serves 229 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in this small Iowa community. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating and ranking 78th among Iowa's 1,288 elementary schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide.
Students show solid achievement across core subjects, with 77% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while an impressive 82% reach proficiency in mathematics. As a regular public elementary school, Montezuma Elementary provides educational services to families in Poweshiek County's rural landscape. The surrounding community of ZIP code 50171 is home to approximately 2,440 residents, with a median household income of $56,406 and median home values around $183,800.
About 19% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.8%. Located on North 4th Street in the heart of Montezuma, the school serves as an educational anchor in this remote rural setting, where students benefit from small-town values and close-knit community connections.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Montezuma 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Montezuma Elementary School — Students at Montezuma Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Montezuma Elementary School Compares
See how Montezuma Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 580 504 N 4th St, Montezuma, IA 50171
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Montezuma Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), which scores slightly higher. Another option is H-L-V Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Victor), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bailey Park Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Montezuma, see our Montezuma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50171 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,944
Median Home Value
$188,700
Median Rent
$822/mo
Population
2,445
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
70.8%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
52.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Montezuma Elementary School has a median household income of $55,944. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,700, with a median rent of $822/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 7.3 |
| Cardinal Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 7.3 |
| Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora, IA | 7.3 |
| English Valleys Elementary School North English, IA | 7.3 |
| North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center, IA | 7.3 |
| Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Montezuma Elementary School
What grades does Montezuma Elementary School serve?
Montezuma Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Montezuma Elementary School?
Montezuma Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Montezuma Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Montezuma Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Montezuma Elementary School rank in IA?
Montezuma Elementary School is ranked #320 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Montezuma Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Montezuma Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Montezuma Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montezuma Elementary School has 88.1% math proficiency and 82.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Montezuma Elementary School a charter school?
No, Montezuma Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Montezuma Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Montezuma Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montezuma Elementary School?
40.6% of students at Montezuma 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 229
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Poweshiek County
- Phone
- (641) 623-5129
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montezuma Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 472
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,059
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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