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Very Good

#301 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 23% in state

Runnells Elementary

Elementary School · Southeast Polk Comm School District

6575 SE 116th Street, Runnels, IA 50237

Enrollment

276

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#195 of 662

In district

#1 of 11

Southeast Polk Comm School District

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Runnells Elementary

Runnells Elementary serves 276 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Runnels, Iowa. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #218 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.

Students consistently exceed expectations in core subjects, with 82% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and an impressive 87% reaching proficiency in mathematics. Located at 6575 SE 116th Street in Polk County, Runnells Elementary serves a community with a median household income of $91,500 and median home values of $340,400. The surrounding area has a very low poverty rate of just 2.1%, and 31% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a stable, education-oriented community.

As a regular public school in this rural Iowa setting, Runnells Elementary provides students with a solid academic foundation while maintaining the close-knit feel characteristic of smaller communities. The school serves the 50237 ZIP code area, where approximately 3,085 residents enjoy the benefits of rural living within reach of greater Des Moines area amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Runnells 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 Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,914

Runnells Elementary — Students at Runnells Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 92.4%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 86.1%
School
State
72.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
96.1%
ELA
91.8%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Runnells Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

6575 SE 116th Street, Runnels, IA 50237

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Runnells Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Colfax-Mingo Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Colfax), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hartford Upper Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Prairie City Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Prairie City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Runnels, see our Runnels schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Hartford Upper Elementary Carlisle 4.7 mi 7.2
Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill 6.8 mi 5.2
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill 7.0 mi 4.6
Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill 7.0 mi 5.1
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 7.3 mi 6.0
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 7.0 mi 6.9
Carlisle High School Carlisle 7.0 mi 5.0
Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City 8.2 mi 7.0
PCM Middle School Prairie City 8.2 mi 7.4
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle 7.7 mi 6.5
Clay Elementary Altoona 9.0 mi 4.9
Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville 10.3 mi 6.4
Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville 10.1 mi 6.3
Pleasantville High School Pleasantville 10.2 mi 6.3
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville 10.2 mi 5.8
Centennial Elementary Altoona 9.9 mi 6.7
Altoona Elementary Altoona 10.4 mi 6.8
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 9.6 mi 5.4
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 11.0 mi 4.8
Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax 12.1 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50237 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,667

Median Home Value

$326,300

Median Rent

$765/mo

Population

3,275

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

95.7%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

0.7%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Runnells Elementary has a median household income of $92,667. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $326,300, with a median rent of $765/month. The local poverty rate of 0.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Buffalo Elementary School Buffalo, IA 7.4
Franklin Elementary School Boone, IA 7.4
Keota Elementary School Keota, IA 7.4
Meeker Elementary School Ames, IA 7.4
Mulberry Elementary School Muscatine, IA 7.4
SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Runnells Elementary

What grades does Runnells Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Runnells Elementary?

Runnells Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 276 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Runnells Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Runnells Elementary is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Runnells Elementary rank in IA?

Runnells Elementary is ranked #301 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Runnells Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Runnells Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Runnells Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Runnells Elementary has 92.4% math proficiency and 86.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Runnells Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Runnells Elementary a Title I school?

No, Runnells Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

33.7% of students at Runnells 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (132/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southeast Polk Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,424
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,583
District Rank
#1 of 11

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

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