Very Good
#148 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 12% in state
South Hamilton Elem
Elementary School · South Hamilton Comm School District
315 Division St, Jewell, IA 50130
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jewell
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#110 of 662
In district
#1 of 2
South Hamilton Comm School District
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About South Hamilton Elem
South Hamilton Elementary serves 355 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the small community of Jewell, Iowa. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 63rd among Iowa's 1,288 elementary schools, placing it in the 95th percentile statewide.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 87% achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics across all grade levels. This strong academic achievement reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence. South Hamilton Elementary is situated in Hamilton County's rural landscape, where the surrounding community of ZIP code 50130 supports education with a median household income of $78,816 and a relatively low poverty rate of 7.5%.
The area's median home value of $128,600 reflects the affordable, family-friendly nature of this rural setting. With 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher among the ZIP's 1,567 residents, the school benefits from a stable, education-minded community that values academic achievement in Iowa's peaceful countryside.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Hamilton Elem 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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South Hamilton Elem — Students at South Hamilton Elem score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 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 South Hamilton Elem Compares
See how South Hamilton Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 87% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
315 Division St, Jewell, IA 50130
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Hamilton Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sunset Heights Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Webster City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Radcliffe), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Meeker Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Ames), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Jewell, see our Jewell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Roland-Story Elementary School Story City | 8.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Roland-Story High School Story City | 8.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City | 12.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Gilbert Middle School Gilbert | 13.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 13.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 13.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 13.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Roland-Story Middle School Roland | 12.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe | 10.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Pleasant View Elementary School Webster City | 13.9 mi | 7.1 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Webster City | 14.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Webster City Middle School Webster City | 14.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City | 14.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Webster City High School Webster City | 14.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 17.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 17.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 18.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Ames High School Ames | 18.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 18.3 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50130 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,934
Median Home Value
$143,100
Median Rent
$840/mo
Population
1,517
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
84.9%
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Hamilton Elem has a median household income of $69,934. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,100, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton, IA | 7.9 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville, IA | 7.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 7.9 |
| Hinton Elementary School Hinton, IA | 7.9 |
| Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 7.9 |
| John Cline Elementary School Decorah, IA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Hamilton Elem
What grades does South Hamilton Elem serve?
South Hamilton Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend South Hamilton Elem?
South Hamilton Elem has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Hamilton Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at South Hamilton Elem is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Hamilton Elem rank in IA?
South Hamilton Elem is ranked #148 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Hamilton Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
South Hamilton Elem has a composite rating of 7.9 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 South Hamilton Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Hamilton Elem has 85.1% math proficiency and 85.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Hamilton Elem a charter school?
No, South Hamilton Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Hamilton Elem a Title I school?
No, South Hamilton Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Hamilton Elem?
33.8% of students at South Hamilton Elem 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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 355
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hamilton County
- Phone
- (515) 827-5096
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Hamilton Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 670
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #1 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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