Skip to main content

Average

#987 of 1,280 schools in IA

Pocahontas Area Elementary School

Elementary School · Pocahontas Area Comm School District

202 1st Ave SW, Pocahontas, IA 50574

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pocahontas

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#519 of 662

In district

#2 of 2

Pocahontas Area Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Pocahontas Area Elementary School

Pocahontas Area Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Pocahontas, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade students, this rural school boasts an enrollment of 274 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from its team of 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Pocahontas Area Elementary School is solid, with 73% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 76% in Math.

However, proficiency rates in Science are slightly lower at 56%, indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth. The school ranks 71st percentile among Iowa schools and has a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.5 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to student development. While the surrounding neighborhood data is not available, Pocahontas Area Elementary School sits in a remote rural setting that fosters a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pocahontas Area Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,417

Pocahontas Area Elementary School — Students at Pocahontas Area Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.5%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 73.0%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
74.4%
ELA
70.1%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Pocahontas Area Elementary School Compares

See how Pocahontas Area Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
23th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

202 1st Ave SW, Pocahontas, IA 50574

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pocahontas Area Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Twin Rivers Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Bode), which scores notably higher. Another option is Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Albert City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 26.4 miles away, in nearby Emmetsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pocahontas, see our Pocahontas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 0.1 mi
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 0.1 mi 5.8
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 12.3 mi 4.2
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 11.9 mi 4.7
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 15.4 mi 4.9
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 14.5 mi 8.8
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 19.3 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 19.3 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 19.3 mi 6.5
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 23.3 mi 7.1
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 23.5 mi 4.8
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 18.7 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 18.7 mi 6.8
Newell-Fonda High School Newell 18.7 mi 6.1
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 25.6 mi 7.3
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 26.4 mi 7.8
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 22.3 mi 7.0
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 26.7 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 26.7 mi 8.6
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode 21.6 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50574 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,589

Median Home Value

$104,700

Median Rent

$801/mo

Population

2,103

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

79.2%

Avg Commute

15.5 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

48.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pocahontas Area Elementary School has a median household income of $57,589. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,700, with a median rent of $801/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Cascade Elementary School Cascade, IA 5.4
Moore Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Prescott Elementary School Dubuque, IA 5.4
Southeast Elementary School Waverly, IA 5.4
Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa, IA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pocahontas Area Elementary School

What grades does Pocahontas Area Elementary School serve?

Pocahontas Area Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Pocahontas Area Elementary School?

Pocahontas Area Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pocahontas Area Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pocahontas Area Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pocahontas Area Elementary School rank in IA?

Pocahontas Area Elementary School is ranked #987 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pocahontas Area Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pocahontas Area Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Pocahontas Area Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pocahontas Area Elementary School has 75.5% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pocahontas Area Elementary School a charter school?

No, Pocahontas Area Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pocahontas Area Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Pocahontas Area Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pocahontas Area Elementary School?

58.0% of students at Pocahontas Area 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (156/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pocahontas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pocahontas Area Comm School District
District Enrollment
706
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,766
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.