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Average

#884 of 1,280 schools in IA

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

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#884 of 1,280

In district

#2 of 2

River Valley Comm School District

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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River Valley Elementary

5.5/10

Elementary School in Washta · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

River Valley Junior- Senior High School

7.0/10

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

Pierson Middle School

8.5/10

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

About River Valley Elementary

River Valley Elementary is a public elementary school in Washta, IA, part of River Valley Comm School District. River Valley Elementary serves approximately 155 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. River Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #884 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for River Valley Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 155 students, River Valley Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

River Valley Elementary 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,605
Chronic Absenteeism20.6%

River Valley Elementary — Students at River Valley Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 72.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 71.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
52%
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: 3.7/10.

How River Valley Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in IA
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Anthon Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Anthon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Remsen-Union Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Remsen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), 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 7.0
Pierson Middle School Pierson 7.8 mi 8.5
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 11.1 mi 5.6
Ridge View High School Holstein 11.1 mi 5.9
MVAO Middle School Anthon 15.2 mi 7.2
Anthon Elementary Anthon 15.2 mi 9.6
Washington High School Cherokee 15.1 mi 5.9
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 15.8 mi 3.7
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 15.8 mi 6.9
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 17.4 mi 7.8
MMCRU High School Marcus 17.4 mi 7.4
Kingsley Elementary School Kingsley 13.2 mi 8.1
Kingsley-Pierson High School Kingsley 13.2 mi 7.5
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 16.4 mi 5.9
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 17.7 mi 8.4
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 17.7 mi 9.0
DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury 23.3 mi 6.4
Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen 20.4 mi 9.4
Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen 20.4 mi 6.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aplington Elementary School Aplington, IA 5.6
Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School Charter Oak, IA 5.6
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein, IA 5.6
HULL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull, IA 5.6
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Charles City, IA 5.6
Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni, IA 5.6

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 ranks #884 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is River Valley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

River Valley Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 River Valley Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, River Valley Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

District

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

Other Schools in This District

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