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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,315

Montezuma Elementary School — Students at Montezuma Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 88.1%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 82.0%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
89.1%
ELA
85.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Montezuma High School Montezuma 0.0 mi 6.4
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma 0.0 mi 7.9
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 11.0 mi 8.2
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 11.0 mi 6.6
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon 11.0 mi 5.3
North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon 11.0 mi 6.3
Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg 13.7 mi 6.1
Tri-County Elementary School Thornburg 13.7 mi 4.7
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 13.8 mi 6.9
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 14.7 mi 6.8
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 14.7 mi 5.2
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 14.5 mi 6.8
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 15.4 mi 7.0
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 15.6 mi 7.2
H-L-V Junior-Senior High School Victor 15.3 mi 5.0
H-L-V Elementary School Victor 15.3 mi 7.7
Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa 20.3 mi 6.0
Oskaloosa Virtual Academy Oskaloosa 20.3 mi
Oskaloosa Middle School Oskaloosa 20.4 mi 7.6
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 16.2 mi 4.9

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (344/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montezuma Comm School District
District Enrollment
472
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,059
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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