Very Good
#149 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 12% 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
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
207
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ossian
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#111 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
South Winneshiek Comm School District
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About South Winneshiek Elementary School
South Winneshiek Elementary School serves 207 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in rural Ossian, Iowa. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking #269 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 79th percentile.
Students show particularly impressive results in mathematics, with 84% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels, while 74% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. Located in Winneshiek County, South Winneshiek Elementary serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $75,150 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.2%. The surrounding area reflects typical rural Iowa values, with median home values around $155,300 and about one-quarter of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The school's consistent academic achievement and supportive rural environment make it an appealing choice for families seeking quality elementary education. South Winneshiek Elementary operates within a close-knit farming community where students can experience the benefits of small-town educational settings while receiving solid academic preparation.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Winneshiek 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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South Winneshiek Elementary School — Students at South Winneshiek Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 7.7/10.
How South Winneshiek Elementary School Compares
See how South Winneshiek Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 84.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
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. Turkey Valley Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Jackson Junction), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Union Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby West Union), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John Cline Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Decorah), with a very similar 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 | 7.0 |
| South Winneshiek High School Calmar | 5.9 mi | 7.3 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah | 10.7 mi | 6.0 |
| CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah | 10.9 mi | — |
| Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah | 10.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Decorah Middle School Decorah | 11.0 mi | 8.0 |
| NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah | 11.2 mi | 6.6 |
| John Cline Elementary School Decorah | 11.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Decorah High School Decorah | 11.4 mi | 6.1 |
| KINDERHAUS Decorah | 11.5 mi | — |
| North Fayette Valley High School West Union | 12.2 mi | 7.8 |
| West Union Elementary School West Union | 12.5 mi | 8.4 |
| John R Mott Jr/Hi School Postville | 10.4 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| Valley Elementary School Elgin | 13.0 mi | 6.1 |
| North Fayette Valley Middle School Elgin | 13.0 mi | 7.1 |
| SCENIC VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fayette | 16.9 mi | — |
| Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction | 13.9 mi | 9.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Winneshiek Elementary School has a median household income of $77,250. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,500, with a median rent of $715/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Dexter Elementary School Dexter, IA | 7.9 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville, IA | 7.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 7.9 |
| North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center Lowden, IA | 7.9 |
| North Hill Elementary School Burlington, IA | 7.9 |
| Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron, IA | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #149 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Winneshiek Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Winneshiek Elementary School 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 Winneshiek Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Winneshiek Elementary School has 79.6% math proficiency and 69.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (563) 532-9365
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Winneshiek Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 554
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,821
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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