Average
#499 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 39% in state
Shellsburg Elementary School
Elementary School · Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District
PO BOX C 203 Tomahawk Trail, Shellsburg, IA 52332
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#306 of 662
In district
#2 of 4
Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Shellsburg Elementary School
Shellsburg Elementary School serves 250 students in grades PreK through 5th in the rural community of Shellsburg, Iowa. This small but highly effective school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 24th out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 87% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 77% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Located on Tomahawk Trail in Benton County, Shellsburg Elementary serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $86,250 and the poverty rate remains low at 7%. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 1,819 residents, with median home values around $235,200, reflecting a community that values both affordability and quality of life.
This high-performing elementary school provides students with a strong academic foundation in a close-knit rural Iowa setting where families can enjoy the benefits of small-town community life.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Shellsburg 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
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Shellsburg Elementary School — Students at Shellsburg Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.6%
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
→ 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: 4.3/10.
How Shellsburg Elementary School Compares
See how Shellsburg Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 87% (2019) to 87% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
PO BOX C 203 Tomahawk Trail, Shellsburg, IA 52332
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shellsburg Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maple Grove Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Cedar Rapids), which scores notably higher. Another option is Atkins Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Atkins), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Viola Gibson Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Cedar Rapids), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Shellsburg, see our Shellsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52332 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,781
Median Home Value
$227,800
Median Rent
$775/mo
Population
1,638
College Educated
15.1%
Homeownership
90.2%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shellsburg Elementary School has a median household income of $90,781. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,800, with a median rent of $775/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Broadway Elementary School Denison, IA | 6.8 |
| Davis Elementary School Grinnell, IA | 6.8 |
| Fairview Elementary School Grinnell, IA | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.8 |
| Keystone Elementary School Keystone, IA | 6.8 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shellsburg Elementary School
What grades does Shellsburg Elementary School serve?
Shellsburg Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Shellsburg Elementary School?
Shellsburg Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shellsburg Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shellsburg Elementary School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shellsburg Elementary School rank in IA?
Shellsburg Elementary School is ranked #499 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Shellsburg Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shellsburg Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Shellsburg Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shellsburg Elementary School has 85.0% math proficiency and 75.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shellsburg Elementary School a charter school?
No, Shellsburg Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shellsburg Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Shellsburg Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shellsburg Elementary School?
41.6% of students at Shellsburg 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 (366/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 250
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Benton County
- Phone
- (319) 436-4728
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,551
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,599
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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