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Excellent

#127 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 10% in state

Poyner Elementary

Elementary School · Waterloo Comm School District

1138 Central Ave, Evansdale, IA 50707

Enrollment

360

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Evansdale

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#96 of 662

In district

#4 of 18

Waterloo Comm School District

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Poyner Elementary

Poyner Elementary is an elementary school located in Evansdale, Iowa, in the heart of Black Hawk County. Situated at 1138 Central Avenue, it serves students from preschool through fifth grade with a student body of 360 students and a dedicated teaching staff of 28 full-time equivalent teachers. The school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention.

Poyner Elementary focuses on fostering a nurturing environment where young learners can thrive. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 61st percentile among Iowa schools. Academically, Poyner Elementary shows solid proficiency rates in ELA and reading (65%), math (68%), and science (64%).

While these numbers indicate areas for growth, they also reflect a commitment to continuous improvement. Poyner Elementary is situated in the center of a mid-size suburb, offering students easy access to community resources while providing a safe and supportive educational setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,933

Poyner Elementary — Students at Poyner Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 65.5%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
73.2%
ELA
70%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Poyner Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
90th percentile in IA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

1138 Central Ave, Evansdale, IA 50707

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poyner Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kingsley Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kittrell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Evansdale, see our Evansdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Bunger Middle School Evansdale 0.2 mi 6.6
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 2.4 mi 6.2
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 2.5 mi 5.5
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 2.9 mi 8.2
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 3.1 mi 6.9
Cunningham School Waterloo 3.6 mi 6.6
East High School Waterloo 3.6 mi 5.6
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 3.4 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 3.4 mi 7.6
ROYAL LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterloo 3.8 mi 5.9
Irving Elementary School Waterloo 3.9 mi 8.8
West High School Waterloo 3.8 mi 7.0
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 4.1 mi 6.3
George Washington Carver Academy Waterloo 4.9 mi 7.1
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 4.4 mi 6.7
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 4.4 mi 7.8
Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo 4.4 mi 8.6
Orange Elementary School Waterloo 4.8 mi 7.9
Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo 5.7 mi 8.0
WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo 5.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,451

Median Home Value

$142,600

Median Rent

$922/mo

Population

7,407

College Educated

13.8%

Homeownership

69.3%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.8%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poyner Elementary has a median household income of $61,451. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,600, with a median rent of $922/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron, IA 8.0
Danville Elementary School Danville, IA 8.0
Earlham Elementary School Earlham, IA 8.0
East Buchanan Elementary School Winthrop, IA 8.0
East Sac County Elementary Sac City, IA 8.0
Edison Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poyner Elementary

What grades does Poyner Elementary serve?

Poyner Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Poyner Elementary?

Poyner Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poyner Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Poyner Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poyner Elementary rank in IA?

Poyner Elementary is ranked #127 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Poyner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Poyner Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Poyner Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poyner Elementary has 67.6% math proficiency and 65.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poyner Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Poyner Elementary a Title I school?

No, Poyner Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poyner Elementary?

67.8% of students at Poyner 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,081/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Evansdale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Black Hawk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterloo Comm School District
District Enrollment
10,606
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,652
District Rank
#4 of 18

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

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