Excellent
#214 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 17% 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
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#214 of 1,280
In district
#5 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Runnells Elementary
Elementary School in Runnels · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hartford Upper Elementary
4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Southeast Polk Junior High
6.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Runnells Elementary
Runnells Elementary is a public elementary school in Runnels, IA, part of Southeast Polk Comm School District. Runnells Elementary serves approximately 276 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Runnells Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #214 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Runnells Elementary show 91% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- District avg 7.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Runnells 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Runnells Elementary — Students at Runnells Elementary score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
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 35 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: 8.3/10.
How Runnells Elementary Compares
See how Runnells Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Mitchellville Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Mitchellville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altoona Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Altoona), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Centennial Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Altoona), with a very similar 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 | 6.3 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill | 6.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 7.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 7.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 7.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle | 7.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Carlisle High School Carlisle | 7.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City | 8.2 mi | 5.9 |
| PCM Middle School Prairie City | 8.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Carlisle Middle School Carlisle | 7.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 9.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville | 10.3 mi | 9.5 |
| Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville | 10.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Pleasantville High School Pleasantville | 10.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 9.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 10.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 9.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 11.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax | 12.1 mi | 6.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary Elkader, IA | 8.1 |
| Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA | 8.1 |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck, IA | 8.1 |
| Guthrie Center Elementary School Guthrie Center, IA | 8.1 |
| Irwin Elementary School Irwin, IA | 8.1 |
| John Cline Elementary School Decorah, IA | 8.1 |
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 ranks #214 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Runnells Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Runnells Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Runnells Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Runnells Elementary has 91% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.6%
- Phone
- (515) 966-2068
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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