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Average

#903 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

5.4

Grades

2nd – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#903 of 1,280

In Fairfield

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Fairfield Comm School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Pence Elementary

5.4/10

Elementary School in Fairfield · grades 2nd – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fairfield Middle School

7.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Washington Elementary

8.6/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pence Elementary

Pence Elementary is a public elementary school in Fairfield, IA, part of Fairfield Comm School District. Pence Elementary serves approximately 339 students, and covers grades 2nd-4th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Pence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #903 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Pence Elementary show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,640
Chronic Absenteeism11.5%

Pence Elementary — Students at Pence Elementary score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 66.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
73%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
69%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
69%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
61%
ELA
67.7%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Pence Elementary Compares

See how Pence Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in IA
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.2/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cardinal Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Eldon), 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 7.5
Washington Elementary Fairfield 0.8 mi 8.6
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 6.5
Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood 14.7 mi 6.4
Pekin Elementary School Packwood 14.7 mi 5.5
PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood 14.7 mi
Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua 18.4 mi 7.8
Cardinal High School Eldon 14.1 mi 7.0
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 14.1 mi 7.7
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 14.1 mi 6.7
WACO High School Wayland 19.5 mi 6.8
Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center Keosauqua 22.6 mi 6.0
Keota Elementary School Keota 25.8 mi 6.2
Keota High School Keota 25.8 mi 6.4
Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant 21.1 mi 9.2
Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch Sigourney 25.7 mi 8.5
Washington High School Washington 24.7 mi 3.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 5.4
Hoover Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.4
Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville, IA 5.4
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo, IA 5.4
Panorama Elementary Panora, IA 5.4
Sunnyside Elementary School Burlington, IA 5.4

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 ranks #903 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pence Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pence Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Pence Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pence Elementary has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.5%

District

Fairfield Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,466
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,640
District Rank
#3 of 4

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