Average
#895 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School
Elementary School · Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District
PO BOX 159 1505 Washington St, Ruthven, IA 51358
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ruthven
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#488 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School is a small, rural public school located in Ruthven, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 88 students and employs seven full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of about 12.6:1. The school’s academic performance shows room for improvement, with state rankings placing it at #1099 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, putting it in the 15th percentile.
In terms of proficiency scores, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 43% in Math, and 40% in Science. While Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School is small and faces challenges reflected in its state ranking and academic score, the close-knit community provides a supportive environment where teachers can give individual attention to each student. The school’s setting in a remote rural area offers students a tight-knit, nurturing atmosphere that focuses on building strong foundational skills for future learning.
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School is deeply embedded within its rural community, fostering a sense of belonging and care among students and families alike.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 88 students, Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School 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, Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School — Students at Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 9 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: 5.9/10.
How Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School Compares
See how Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 54.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 159 1505 Washington St, Ruthven, IA 51358
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Another option is Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Emmetsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ruthven, see our Ruthven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51358 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,921
Median Home Value
$146,900
Median Rent
$652/mo
Population
1,277
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
81.5%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
47.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School has a median household income of $70,921. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,900, with a median rent of $652/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan, IA | 5.7 |
| ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waverly, IA | 5.8 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Boone, IA | 5.8 |
| LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Williamsburg, IA | 5.6 |
| SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona, IA | 5.6 |
| TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg, IA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School
What grades does Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School serve?
Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School?
Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School rank in IA?
Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School is ranked #895 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School has 42.6% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School?
52.3% of students at Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School 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
- Average (427/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 88
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Palo Alto County
- Phone
- (712) 837-5211
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 158
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,445
- District Rank
- #2 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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