Needs Improvement
#1232 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
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belmond
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#635 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Belmond-Klemme Comm School District
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Belmond, Iowa, serving Wright County. The school offers education from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 374 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1.
With 27 full-time equivalent teachers, Jacobson Elementary provides a personalized learning environment that encourages growth and development in its young learners. The academic performance at Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School is currently rated at 3.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it at the 16th percentile among Iowa schools.
Students show proficiency rates of 56% in ELA/Reading and 61% in Math, indicating areas where they excel but also highlighting opportunities for improvement. In Science, the proficiency rate is lower at 39%, suggesting a focus on strengthening this subject area. While there isn't specific neighborhood data available, Jacobson Elementary serves a community that values education within its rural setting.
The school's remote location offers students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Richard O. Jacobson 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School — Students at Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.9/10.
How Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Compares
See how Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 64% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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 8.9/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Latimer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clear Creek Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Hancock Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Belmond, see our Belmond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.8 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has a median household income of $66,184. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,400, with a median rent of $805/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.8 |
| GMG Elementary School Green Mountain, IA | 3.7 |
| Margaretta Carey Elementary School Waverly, IA | 3.7 |
| Neil Armstrong Elementary School Eldridge, IA | 3.7 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA | 3.9 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa, IA | 3.9 |
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 is ranked #1232 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School has 60.8% math proficiency and 55.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (125/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (641) 444-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belmond-Klemme Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 689
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,075
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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