Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1252 of 1,280 schools in IA

Richardson Elementary School

Elementary School · Fort Madison Comm School District

3301 Avenue L, Fort Madison, IA 52627

Enrollment

286

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Madison

#3 of 4

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#646 of 662

In district

#3 of 4

Fort Madison Comm School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Richardson Elementary School

Richardson Elementary School in Fort Madison, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through third grade. With an enrollment of 286 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, Richardson Elementary provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The school has 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Academically, Richardson Elementary is working towards improvement, with the MySchoolScout rating at 2.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 8th percentile among Iowa schools. In reading and ELA, 42% of students are proficient or above, while 60% are meeting proficiency standards in math. The school is focusing on student development to help each child reach their full potential.

Richardson Elementary School is located in a remote area within Fort Madison, providing a unique setting for its community. Despite the challenges, the dedicated staff and involved parents work together to create a nurturing environment that supports every student's growth and well-being.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,858

Richardson Elementary School — Students at Richardson Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
67%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
42%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Richardson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
2th percentile in IA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

3301 Avenue L, Fort Madison, IA 52627

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Richardson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dallas City Elem School (rated 7.6/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Dallas City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hawthorne Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Keokuk), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nauvoo Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Nauvoo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Madison, see our Fort Madison schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.3 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Fort Madison 0.9 mi 6.6
Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison 0.9 mi 4.9
Fort Madison High School Fort Madison 1.3 mi 4.5
Lincoln Elementary School Fort Madison 1.7 mi 2.7
STS PETER & PAUL Nauvoo 5.4 mi 4.5
Nauvoo Elem School Nauvoo 5.3 mi 7.3
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 8.0 mi 5.7
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY West Point 8.0 mi 6.9
Central Lee Middle School Donnellson 9.1 mi 5.2
Central Lee Elementary School Donnellson 9.1 mi 5.8
Central Lee High School Donnellson 9.2 mi 6.1
Dallas City Elem School Dallas City 10.4 mi 7.6
Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk 14.5 mi 7.6
KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk 14.5 mi 7.0
Keokuk Middle School Keokuk 14.9 mi 7.4
Keokuk High School Keokuk 14.9 mi 4.9
Torrence Elementary Keokuk 15.2 mi 5.5
George Washington Elementary School Keokuk 15.8 mi 7.1
Hamilton High School Hamilton 16.0 mi 5.2
Hamilton Elementary School Hamilton 16.3 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52627 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,864

Median Home Value

$111,700

Median Rent

$830/mo

Population

12,585

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

75.7%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Richardson Elementary School has a median household income of $54,864. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,700, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 3.6
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 3.6
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.6
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.5
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain, IA 3.7
Margaretta Carey Elementary School Waverly, IA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Richardson Elementary School

What grades does Richardson Elementary School serve?

Richardson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Richardson Elementary School?

Richardson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Richardson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Richardson Elementary School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Richardson Elementary School rank in IA?

Richardson Elementary School is ranked #1252 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Richardson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Richardson Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Richardson Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richardson Elementary School has 60.3% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Richardson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Richardson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

69.9% of students at Richardson 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

City Safety
High (2,007/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fort Madison Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,792
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,825
District Rank
#3 of 4

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.