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
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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River Valley Elementary — Students at River Valley Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.7/10.
How River Valley Elementary Compares
See how River Valley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (712) 447-6318
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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