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Average

#682 of 1,280 schools in IA

North Mahaska Elementary School

Elementary School · North Mahaska Comm School District

PO BOX 89 2163 135th St, New Sharon, IA 50207

Enrollment

314

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Sharon

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#383 of 662

In district

#1 of 2

North Mahaska Comm School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About North Mahaska Elementary School

North Mahaska Elementary School serves 314 students in grades PK through 6 in New Sharon, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking #140 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, the school places in the 89th percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, with 82% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels.

These impressive results contribute to the school's academic score of 8.9 out of 10. Students benefit from a favorable learning environment with a 14.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, supported by 22 full-time equivalent teachers. North Mahaska Elementary draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $73,800 and home values average $145,900.

The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 2,313 residents, with 22% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.9%, indicating a supportive socioeconomic environment for student learning. The school operates in Iowa's rural landscape, offering students the benefits of small-town education while maintaining high academic standards that consistently place it among the state's best elementary schools.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, North Mahaska 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 Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,347

North Mahaska Elementary School — Students at North Mahaska Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.1%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 80.1%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 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
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
85.6%
ELA
77.5%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How North Mahaska Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in IA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

PO BOX 89 2163 135th St, New Sharon, IA 50207

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Mahaska Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lynnville-Sully Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Sully), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montezuma Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Montezuma), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Pella), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Sharon, see our New Sharon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon 0.0 mi 5.3
Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa 10.4 mi 6.0
Oskaloosa Virtual Academy Oskaloosa 10.4 mi
Oskaloosa Middle School Oskaloosa 10.5 mi 7.6
Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa 10.5 mi 5.3
Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa 10.6 mi 6.7
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma 11.0 mi 7.3
Montezuma High School Montezuma 11.0 mi 6.4
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma 11.0 mi 7.9
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 12.6 mi 4.9
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 13.1 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 13.1 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 13.1 mi 6.7
PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella 13.3 mi 5.7
Madison Elementary School Pella 13.4 mi 6.0
Pella Middle School Pella 13.6 mi 6.5
Jefferson Intermediate Pella 13.6 mi 6.0
Pella High School Pella 13.8 mi 6.2
PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella 14.1 mi 7.2
Lincoln Elementary School Pella 14.4 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,389

Median Home Value

$156,500

Median Rent

$577/mo

Population

2,360

College Educated

22.4%

Homeownership

70.1%

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Mahaska Elementary School has a median household income of $76,389. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $156,500, with a median rent of $577/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA 6.3
Bedford Elementary School Bedford, IA 6.3
Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA 6.3
Guthrie Center Elementary School Guthrie Center, IA 6.3
Jefferson Elementary School Muscatine, IA 6.3
Lenox Elementary School Lenox, IA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Mahaska Elementary School

What grades does North Mahaska Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend North Mahaska Elementary School?

North Mahaska Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Mahaska Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Mahaska Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Mahaska Elementary School rank in IA?

North Mahaska Elementary School is ranked #682 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Mahaska Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Mahaska Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 North Mahaska Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Mahaska Elementary School has 84.1% math proficiency and 80.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Mahaska Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is North Mahaska Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

36.3% of students at North Mahaska 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
Low (80/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mahaska County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Mahaska Comm School District
District Enrollment
600
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,807
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 methodology

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