Below Average
#1148 of 1,280 schools in IA
Northwest Elementary School
Elementary School · Ankeny Comm School District
1202 W First St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ankeny
#17 of 17
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#595 of 662
In district
#17 of 17
Ankeny Comm School District
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Northwest Elementary School
Northwest Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Ankeny, Iowa, located at 1202 W First St. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 346 students and employs 29 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1. Northwest Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area, providing a setting that balances urban conveniences with a close-knit community feel.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks as the 26th percentile among Iowa schools. Specifically, 67% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 70% meet proficiency standards in math, and 68% do so in science. These scores indicate areas where there is room for improvement but also highlight a solid foundation for student development.
Northwest Elementary School offers a supportive environment that encourages growth and learning within its large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Northwest Elementary School — Students at Northwest Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How Northwest Elementary School Compares
See how Northwest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
1202 W First St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwest Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cornell Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie Trail Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ankeny, see our Ankeny schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Terrace Learning Center Ankeny | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Parkview Middle School Ankeny | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Southview Middle School Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Northview Middle School Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Ankeny High School Ankeny | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Heritage Elementary Ankeny | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Westwood Elementary School Ankeny | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Southeast Elementary School Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 3.6 mi | — |
| Cornell Elementary School Des Moines | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,914
Median Home Value
$327,200
Median Rent
$1,191/mo
Population
45,286
College Educated
55.3%
Homeownership
70.4%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
32.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwest Elementary School has a median household income of $113,914. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $327,200, with a median rent of $1,191/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Grant Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 4.5 |
| James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty, IA | 4.5 |
| Mark Twain Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 4.5 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny, IA | 4.5 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert, IA | 4.6 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert, IA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwest Elementary School
What grades does Northwest Elementary School serve?
Northwest Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Northwest Elementary School?
Northwest Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwest Elementary School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwest Elementary School rank in IA?
Northwest Elementary School is ranked #1148 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northwest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Northwest Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest Elementary School has 70.5% math proficiency and 66.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwest Elementary School a charter school?
No, Northwest Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwest Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Northwest Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest Elementary School?
25.7% of students at Northwest 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,188/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ankeny). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 965-9680
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ankeny Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 12,669
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,127
- District Rank
- #17 of 17
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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