Skip to main content

Very Good

#391 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 31% in state

River Valley Elementary

Elementary School · River Valley Comm School District

PO BOX 151 100 South 5th St, Washta, IA 51061

Enrollment

155

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#249 of 662

In district

#1 of 2

River Valley Comm School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About River Valley Elementary

River Valley Elementary is a charming public elementary school nestled in the rural community of Washta, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, River Valley Elementary has an enrollment of 155 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, ensuring each child receives personalized attention. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education, the school offers a supportive learning environment that encourages academic growth.

River Valley Elementary's state ranking is #527 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 59th percentile for overall performance. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.9/10, with an Academic Score of 5.5/10, indicating that while there's room for improvement, River Valley Elementary continues to focus on student development and progress in core subjects like ELA (65% proficient or above), Math (66%), and Science (61%). Located in a remote rural setting, the school is an integral part of the Washta community, providing educational opportunities within a close-knit environment.

River Valley Elementary thrives in its picturesque surroundings, fostering a strong sense of community among students, families, and staff.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 155 students, River Valley Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, River Valley Elementary 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 Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,570

River Valley Elementary — Students at River Valley Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 65.1%
School
State
72.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
65.6%
ELA
68.2%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How River Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in IA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 151 100 South 5th St, Washta, IA 51061

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Valley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anthon Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Anthon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MMCRU Marcus Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Marcus), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Washta, see our Washta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.6 mi
School Distance Rating
River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville 7.2 mi 6.8
Pierson Middle School Pierson 7.8 mi 6.7
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 11.1 mi 6.3
Ridge View High School Holstein 11.1 mi 5.0
MVAO Middle School Anthon 15.2 mi 8.3
Anthon Elementary Anthon 15.2 mi 8.5
Washington High School Cherokee 15.1 mi 6.1
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 15.8 mi 5.8
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 15.8 mi 5.8
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 17.4 mi 8.5
MMCRU High School Marcus 17.4 mi 6.1
Kingsley Elementary School Kingsley 13.2 mi 7.6
Kingsley-Pierson High School Kingsley 13.2 mi 5.8
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 16.4 mi 5.8
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 17.7 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 17.7 mi 7.8
DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury 23.3 mi 6.4
Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen 20.4 mi 8.1
Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen 20.4 mi 7.2
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Remsen 20.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51061 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,750

Median Home Value

$90,600

Median Rent

$607/mo

Population

423

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

77.3%

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

57.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding River Valley Elementary has a median household income of $68,750. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,600, with a median rent of $607/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Pleasant View Elementary School Webster City, IA 7.1
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn, IA 7.1
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Marion, IA 7.1
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.0
SHELDON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sheldon, IA 7.0
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Valley Elementary

What grades does River Valley Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend River Valley Elementary?

River Valley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Valley Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at River Valley Elementary is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Valley Elementary rank in IA?

River Valley Elementary is ranked #391 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is River Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

River Valley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 River Valley Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Valley Elementary has 66.3% math proficiency and 65.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is River Valley Elementary a charter school?

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

Is River Valley Elementary a Title I school?

No, River Valley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.8% of students at River Valley 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

County Safety
Low (43/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

River Valley Comm School District
District Enrollment
303
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,605
District Rank
#1 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 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.