Very Good
#375 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 29% in state
Spirit Lake Elementary School
Elementary School · Spirit Lake Comm School District
2701 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Enrollment
568
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
568
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spirit Lake
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#242 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Spirit Lake Comm School District
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Spirit Lake Elementary School
Spirit Lake Elementary School serves 568 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Spirit Lake, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking 86th out of 1,288 Iowa schools, the school places in the 93rd percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 92% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 87% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading.
These strong results reflect the quality education provided by 37 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a manageable student-teacher ratio of 15.4 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention. Spirit Lake Elementary draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $74,375 and home values average $239,300. The area shows strong educational values, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.7%.
This supportive environment contributes to the school's academic success. Located on Hill Avenue in this remote town setting, Spirit Lake Elementary serves as an educational cornerstone for the close-knit community of approximately 8,500 residents in the 51360 ZIP code area.
Score Breakdown
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Spirit Lake Elementary School — Students at Spirit Lake Elementary School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.5%
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: 6.7/10.
How Spirit Lake Elementary School Compares
See how Spirit Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 92% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
2701 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spirit Lake Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. Another option is Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Milford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Johnson Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Spencer), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Spirit Lake, see our Spirit Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 0.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 6.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 6.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 7.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril | 9.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park | 11.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park | 11.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson | 15.5 mi | 5.6 |
| RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson | 15.6 mi | 6.4 |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer | 17.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Spencer Middle School Spencer | 18.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 18.1 mi | 3.9 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 18.4 mi | 6.8 |
| PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield | 18.4 mi | 6.6 |
| JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield | 18.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 18.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Spencer High School Spencer | 19.0 mi | 5.8 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield | 18.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville | 13.9 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,464
Median Home Value
$256,000
Median Rent
$1,005/mo
Population
8,561
College Educated
34.8%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
15.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
48.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spirit Lake Elementary School has a median household income of $77,464. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,000, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA | 7.2 |
| Ekstrand Elementary School De Witt, IA | 7.2 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines, IA | 7.2 |
| Hudson Elementary School Hudson, IA | 7.2 |
| Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids, IA | 7.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Osage, IA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spirit Lake Elementary School
What grades does Spirit Lake Elementary School serve?
Spirit Lake Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Spirit Lake Elementary School?
Spirit Lake Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 568 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spirit Lake Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spirit Lake Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spirit Lake Elementary School rank in IA?
Spirit Lake Elementary School is ranked #375 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Spirit Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spirit Lake Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Spirit Lake Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spirit Lake Elementary School has 84.0% math proficiency and 80.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spirit Lake Elementary School a charter school?
No, Spirit Lake Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spirit Lake Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Spirit Lake Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spirit Lake Elementary School?
25.5% of students at Spirit Lake 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. City-level (Spirit Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 568
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Dickinson County
- Phone
- (712) 336-2822
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spirit Lake Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,328
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,816
- 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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