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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Math vs. State Avg-27.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,230

Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School — Students at Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.6%
School
State
72.0%
ELA Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
70.7%

Based on 9 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2025
Math
46.7%
ELA
53.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.7/10
30th percentile in IA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 0.0 mi 6.3
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 10.4 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 10.4 mi 6.9
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 12.5 mi 9.1
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 10.6 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 10.6 mi 8.6
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 11.0 mi 7.8
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 11.4 mi 7.3
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 11.4 mi 6.2
Spencer Middle School Spencer 11.5 mi 5.9
Spencer High School Spencer 11.7 mi 5.8
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 12.0 mi 3.9
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 12.6 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 12.7 mi 6.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 12.9 mi 7.5
Demoney Elementary Estherville 19.0 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 19.0 mi 7.9
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 19.0 mi 5.8
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 19.5 mi 4.2
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 18.2 mi 8.6

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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