Below Average
#1040 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
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,040 of 1,280
In Ankeny
#16 of 17
public schools
In district
#16 of 17
Ankeny Comm School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Northwest Elementary School
Elementary School in Ankeny · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Prairie Ridge Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ankeny Christian Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwest Elementary School
Northwest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ankeny, IA, part of Ankeny Comm School District. Northwest Elementary School serves approximately 346 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,040 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Northwest Elementary School show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 6.7
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northwest Elementary School — Students at Northwest Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
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 35 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: 3.6/10.
How Northwest Elementary School Compares
See how Northwest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Heritage Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cornell Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie Trail Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 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 | 6.4 |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Terrace Learning Center Ankeny | 0.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Parkview Middle School Ankeny | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Southview Middle School Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Northview Middle School Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Ankeny High School Ankeny | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Heritage Elementary Ankeny | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Westwood Elementary School Ankeny | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Southeast Elementary School Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Elementary School Clinton, IA | 4.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 4.7 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| North Hill Elementary School Burlington, IA | 4.7 |
| Rogers Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 4.7 |
| ST COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL Dubuque, IA | 4.7 |
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 ranks #1,040 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northwest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwest Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Northwest Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwest Elementary School has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.7%
- Phone
- (515) 965-9680
Resources & Links
District
Ankeny Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 12,669
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,127
- District Rank
- #16 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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