Average
#744 of 1,280 schools in IA
Pence Elementary
Elementary School · Fairfield Comm School District
1000 South 6th Street, Fairfield, IA 52556
Enrollment
339
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.1
Grades
2nd – 4th
Enrollment
339
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
6.1
Grades
2nd – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairfield
#3 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#414 of 662
In district
#3 of 4
Fairfield Comm School District
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Pence Elementary
Pence Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Fairfield, Iowa, located at 1000 South 6th Street. Serving students from second to fourth grade, Pence Elementary has an enrollment of 339 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a remote town setting, offering a close-knit community environment for its young learners.
Pence Elementary's academic performance reflects areas where the school can improve, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #901 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (30th percentile). In reading and math, about 62% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and around 61% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, Pence Elementary focuses on supporting student development through dedicated teaching staff.
Pence Elementary stands as a welcoming institution nestled in the heart of Fairfield's remote town community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Pence Elementary — Students at Pence Elementary score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 5.8/10.
How Pence Elementary Compares
See how Pence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
1000 South 6th Street, Fairfield, IA 52556
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pence Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Salem Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Another option is Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center (rated 7.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pekin Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Packwood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Middle School Fairfield | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Washington Elementary Fairfield | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| MAHARISHI SCHOOL Fairfield | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Fairfield High School Fairfield | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| SINGING CEDARS SCHOOL Fairfield | 2.6 mi | — |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 12.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 14.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 14.7 mi | 7.5 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 14.7 mi | — |
| Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua | 18.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 14.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 14.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 14.1 mi | 5.0 |
| WACO High School Wayland | 19.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center Keosauqua | 22.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Keota Elementary School Keota | 25.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Keota High School Keota | 25.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant | 21.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch Sigourney | 25.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Washington High School Washington | 24.7 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52556 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,528
Median Home Value
$168,200
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
11,586
College Educated
46.4%
Homeownership
60.9%
Avg Commute
12.9 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pence Elementary has a median household income of $55,528. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| Adel Elementary School Adel, IA | 6.1 |
| Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point, IA | 6.1 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville, IA | 6.1 |
| Epworth Elementary School Epworth, IA | 6.1 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 6.1 |
| Grundy Center Elementary School Grundy Center, IA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pence Elementary
What grades does Pence Elementary serve?
Pence Elementary serves students in grades 2nd through 4th.
How many students attend Pence Elementary?
Pence Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 339 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pence Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pence Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pence Elementary rank in IA?
Pence Elementary is ranked #744 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Pence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pence Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Pence Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pence Elementary has 60.6% math proficiency and 62.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pence Elementary a charter school?
No, Pence Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pence Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pence Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pence Elementary?
50.4% of students at Pence Elementary 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
- Average (627/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 4th
- Enrollment
- 339
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (641) 472-2957
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfield Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,466
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,640
- District Rank
- #3 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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