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
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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North Mahaska Elementary School — Students at North Mahaska Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.3%
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
→ 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: 4.8/10.
How North Mahaska Elementary School Compares
See how North Mahaska Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (641) 637-4041
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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