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Excellent

#129 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 10% in state

South Winneshiek Elementary School

Elementary School · South Winneshiek Comm School District

PO BOX 298 208 E Brooks St, Ossian, IA 52161

Enrollment

207

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#129 of 1,280

In Ossian

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

South Winneshiek Comm School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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South Winneshiek Elementary School

8.4/10

Elementary School in Ossian · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Winneshiek Middle School

8.7/10

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

South Winneshiek High School

8.2/10

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

About South Winneshiek Elementary School

South Winneshiek Elementary School is a public elementary school in Ossian, IA, part of South Winneshiek Comm School District. South Winneshiek Elementary School serves approximately 207 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Winneshiek Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #129 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for South Winneshiek Elementary School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

South Winneshiek Elementary School 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 Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.8% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)76% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,821
Chronic Absenteeism3.4%

South Winneshiek Elementary School — Students at South Winneshiek Elementary School score 79% 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

34.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 72.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 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
77%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2025
Math
84.8%
ELA
73.4%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How South Winneshiek Elementary School Compares

See how South Winneshiek Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
3.4%

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

PO BOX 298 208 E Brooks St, Ossian, IA 52161

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Winneshiek Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valley Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Elgin), with a very similar rating. Another option is John Cline Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Decorah), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Turkey Valley Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Jackson Junction), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ossian, see our Ossian schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian 0.0 mi 8.7
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 5.9 mi 8.2
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah 10.7 mi 6.0
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 10.9 mi
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 10.9 mi 7.3
Decorah Middle School Decorah 11.0 mi 8.6
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah 11.2 mi 6.6
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 11.3 mi 8.1
Decorah High School Decorah 11.4 mi 7.6
KINDERHAUS Decorah 11.5 mi
North Fayette Valley High School West Union 12.2 mi 6.6
West Union Elementary School West Union 12.5 mi 7.4
John R Mott Jr/Hi School Postville 10.4 mi 6.0
Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St Postville 10.4 mi
Postville Early Childhood Preschool/Post St/REC Center Postville 10.4 mi
Cora B Darling Elementary Postville 10.5 mi 6.1
Valley Elementary School Elgin 13.0 mi 8.3
North Fayette Valley Middle School Elgin 13.0 mi 8.2
SCENIC VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fayette 16.9 mi
Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction 13.9 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,250

Median Home Value

$173,500

Median Rent

$715/mo

Population

1,558

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

81.4%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

39.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baxter Elementary School Baxter, IA 8.4
Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA 8.4
Delhi Elementary School Delhi, IA 8.4
East Campus Elementary School Waukon, IA 8.4
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 8.4
Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun, IA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Winneshiek Elementary School

What grades does South Winneshiek Elementary School serve?

South Winneshiek Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend South Winneshiek Elementary School?

South Winneshiek Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 207 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Winneshiek Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Winneshiek Elementary School 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 Winneshiek Elementary School rank in IA?

South Winneshiek Elementary School ranks #129 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Winneshiek Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Winneshiek Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Winneshiek Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Winneshiek Elementary School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Winneshiek Elementary School a charter school?

No, South Winneshiek Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Winneshiek Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Winneshiek Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Winneshiek Elementary School?

34.8% of students at South Winneshiek 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

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Winneshiek County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
3.4%

District

South Winneshiek Comm School District
District Enrollment
554
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,821
District Rank
#2 of 3

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