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
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Runnells Elementary — Students at Runnells Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.7%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How Runnells Elementary Compares
See how Runnells Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 87% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (515) 966-2068
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #1 of 11
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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