Average
#599 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 47% in state
Northstar Elementary School
Elementary School · Knoxville Comm School District
407 W Larson, Knoxville, IA 50138
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Knoxville
#2 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#351 of 662
In district
#2 of 4
Knoxville Comm School District
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Northstar Elementary School
Northstar Elementary School is a regular public school located in Knoxville, Iowa, serving students from third to fifth grade. With an enrollment of 342 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, Northstar provides a supportive learning environment for its young scholars. The school has 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping each child reach their potential.
Academically, Northstar Elementary ranks in the 19th percentile among Iowa schools with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.0 out of 10. In recent state assessments, 59% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 68% in Math, and 56% in Science. While these scores indicate room for improvement, Northstar continues to focus on student development and academic growth.
Northstar Elementary is situated in a small town setting where the community plays an active role in supporting local schools. The school's location offers students easy access to community resources and fosters a close-knit environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
Score Breakdown
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Northstar Elementary School — Students at Northstar Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.6%
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
↑ 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: 7.9/10.
How Northstar Elementary School Compares
See how Northstar Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
407 W Larson, Knoxville, IA 50138
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northstar Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Melcher-Dallas Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Dallas), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Pella), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lincoln Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Pella), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Elementary Knoxville | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Melcher-Dallas Elementary Dallas | 9.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Melcher-Dallas High School Melcher | 10.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Pleasantville High School Pleasantville | 9.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville | 9.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville | 9.8 mi | 6.3 |
| PCM High School Monroe | 12.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe | 13.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pella | 11.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey | 11.9 mi | 7.3 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella | 11.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey | 12.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Pella High School Pella | 11.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella | 11.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Pella Middle School Pella | 11.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Madison Elementary School Pella | 11.9 mi | 6.0 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella | 11.9 mi | 5.7 |
| PCM Middle School Prairie City | 19.5 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,887
Median Home Value
$169,900
Median Rent
$815/mo
Population
11,374
College Educated
28.4%
Homeownership
79.8%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northstar Elementary School has a median household income of $76,887. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,900, with a median rent of $815/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Alburnett Elementary School Alburnett, IA | 6.5 |
| Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.5 |
| Baxter Elementary School Baxter, IA | 6.5 |
| Fairview Elementary School Carroll, IA | 6.5 |
| Fillmore Elementary School Davenport, IA | 6.5 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northstar Elementary School
What grades does Northstar Elementary School serve?
Northstar Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Northstar Elementary School?
Northstar Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northstar Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northstar Elementary School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northstar Elementary School rank in IA?
Northstar Elementary School is ranked #599 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northstar Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northstar Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Northstar Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northstar Elementary School has 68.3% math proficiency and 58.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northstar Elementary School a charter school?
No, Northstar Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northstar Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Northstar Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northstar Elementary School?
52.6% of students at Northstar 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
- High (2,044/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Knoxville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 342
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (641) 842-6527
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Knoxville Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,659
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,254
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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