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Excellent

#50 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 4% 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

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#50 of 1,280

In Jewell

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

South Hamilton Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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South Hamilton Elem

8.9/10

Elementary School in Jewell · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Hamilton Middle and High School

7.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Roland-story Elementary School

8.4/10

8.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Hamilton Elem

South Hamilton Elem is a public elementary school in Jewell, IA, part of South Hamilton Comm School District. South Hamilton Elem serves approximately 355 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Hamilton Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #50 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for South Hamilton Elem show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

South Hamilton Elem 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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)76% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,459
Chronic Absenteeism7%

South Hamilton Elem — Students at South Hamilton Elem score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 83.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
83%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
87.4%
ELA
86.5%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How South Hamilton Elem Compares

See how South Hamilton Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in IA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Radcliffe), with a very similar rating. Another option is Roland-Story Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Story City), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Gilbert Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), 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 7.0
Roland-Story Elementary School Story City 8.3 mi 8.4
Roland-Story High School Story City 8.5 mi 6.3
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City 12.1 mi 4.8
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 13.6 mi 8.1
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 13.6 mi 4.6
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert 13.8 mi 8.2
Gilbert High School Gilbert 13.9 mi 7.1
Roland-Story Middle School Roland 12.2 mi 8.1
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 10.9 mi 9.1
Pleasant View Elementary School Webster City 13.9 mi 7.5
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Webster City 14.3 mi 6.5
Webster City Middle School Webster City 14.3 mi 5.8
Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City 14.5 mi 6.5
Webster City High School Webster City 14.9 mi 5.6
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 17.6 mi 7.2
Northwood Pre-School Ames 17.6 mi 4.3
Fellows Elementary School Ames 18.1 mi 6.3
Ames High School Ames 18.2 mi 5.2
Meeker Elementary School Ames 18.3 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alta Elementary School Alta, IA 8.9
Bridgeview Elementary School Leclaire, IA 8.9
Delaware Elementary Des Moines, IA 8.9
Hinton Elementary School Hinton, IA 8.9
Danville Elementary School Danville, IA 9.0
Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building Denver, IA 8.8

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 ranks #50 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Hamilton Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

South Hamilton Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 South Hamilton Elem?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Hamilton Elem has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.0%

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

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