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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

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#375 of 1,280

In Spirit Lake

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Spirit Lake Comm School District

Equity

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Spirit Lake Elementary School

7.5/10

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

Spirit Lake Middle School

6.5/10

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

Spirit Lake High School

5.1/10

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

About Spirit Lake Elementary School

Spirit Lake Elementary School is a public elementary school in Spirit Lake, IA, part of Spirit Lake Comm School District. Spirit Lake Elementary School serves approximately 568 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Spirit Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #375 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Spirit Lake Elementary School show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,816
Chronic Absenteeism9.9%

Spirit Lake Elementary School — Students at Spirit Lake Elementary School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 81.9% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
84.6%
ELA
84%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Spirit Lake Elementary School Compares

See how Spirit Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
71th percentile in IA
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.9%

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

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. Johnson Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Spencer), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Terril), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SACRED HEART SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Spencer), with a comparable 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 6.5
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 0.2 mi 5.1
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 6.8 mi 6.6
Okoboji High School Milford 6.8 mi 4.1
Okoboji Middle School Milford 7.0 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 9.8 mi 6.9
Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park 11.3 mi 8.1
Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park 11.6 mi 3.4
Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson 15.5 mi 6.1
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson 15.6 mi 6.0
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 17.8 mi 6.2
Spencer Middle School Spencer 18.1 mi 7.8
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 18.1 mi 4.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 18.4 mi 6.8
PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield 18.4 mi 4.9
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield 18.4 mi 5.7
Johnson Elementary Spencer 18.7 mi 7.9
Spencer High School Spencer 19.0 mi 6.4
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield 18.8 mi 5.3
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 13.9 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 7.5
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill, IA 7.5
Highland Elementary School Waterloo, IA 7.5
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo, IA 7.5
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 7.5
Northeast Elementary Ankeny, IA 7.5

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 ranks #375 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Spirit Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spirit Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Spirit Lake Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spirit Lake Elementary School has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.9%

District

Spirit Lake Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,328
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,816
District Rank
#1 of 3

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