Skip to main content

Below Average

#1120 of 1,280 schools in IA

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School

Elementary School · Belmond-Klemme Comm School District

1004 Seventh Street NE, Belmond, IA 50421

Enrollment

374

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,120 of 1,280

In Belmond

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Belmond-Klemme Comm School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School

4.1/10

Elementary School in Belmond · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Belmond-klemme Community Jr-sr High School

7.7/10

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

Belmond-klemme Alternative School

Nearby

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

About Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Belmond, IA, part of Belmond-Klemme Comm School District. Richard O.

Jacobson Elementary School serves approximately 374 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,120 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below IA schools
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,075
Chronic Absenteeism5.6%

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School — Students at Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School score 54% 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

50.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 65.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2015
Math
70%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
57.2%
ELA
50.3%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Compares

See how Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
13th percentile in IA
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.6%

Location

1004 Seventh Street NE, Belmond, IA 50421

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CAL Elementary School (rated 9.7/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Latimer), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Hancock Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belmond, see our Belmond schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond 0.2 mi 7.7
Belmond-Klemme Alternative School Belmond 0.6 mi
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion 9.8 mi 6.4
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion 10.2 mi 4.8
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion 10.2 mi 7.0
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha 10.9 mi 8.6
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 16.4 mi 8.1
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner 16.8 mi 8.2
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner 16.8 mi 8.2
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 13.3 mi 6.5
CAL Elementary School Latimer 13.8 mi 9.7
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 19.7 mi 8.5
West Hancock High School Britt 19.7 mi 8.9
Eagle Grove High School Eagle Grove 20.0 mi 4.6
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 20.2 mi 3.9
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 20.3 mi 3.7
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 22.5 mi 7.3
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 23.2 mi 7.4
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 23.3 mi 8.8
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City 25.8 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,184

Median Home Value

$121,400

Median Rent

$805/mo

Population

3,142

College Educated

29.3%

Homeownership

80.7%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

44

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grant Wood Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.1
Unity Elementary School Sioux City, IA 4.1
Findley Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.0
Perkins Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.0
Wright Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.0
Margaretta Carey Elementary School Waverly, IA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School

What grades does Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School serve?

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School?

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School rank in IA?

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School ranks #1,120 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School a charter school?

No, Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School?

50.8% of students at Richard O. Jacobson 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

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
60 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Wright County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.6%

District

Belmond-Klemme Comm School District
District Enrollment
689
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,075
District Rank
#2 of 2

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.