Skip to main content

Below Average

#1147 of 1,280 schools in IA

Storm Lake Elementary

Elementary School · Storm Lake Comm School District

PO BOX 638 1810 Hyland Drive, Storm Lake, IA 50588

Enrollment

807

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

4.6

Grades

1st – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Storm Lake

#4 of 6

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#594 of 662

In district

#4 of 6

Storm Lake Comm School District

School environment

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Storm Lake Elementary

Storm Lake Elementary serves grades 1 through 4 in Storm Lake, a remote town in Buena Vista County, Iowa. The school enrolls 807 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9 to 1, with 58 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Storm Lake Elementary is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects.

In reading, 45% of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while 47% met proficiency benchmarks in math. Science proficiency sits at 36% across grade levels, indicating an area with particular room for growth. The school's academic score reflects these challenges, and it currently ranks in the lower percentile statewide.

This is an opportunity for the school community to focus on targeted interventions and support for student learning in these foundational areas. The school's remote location in Storm Lake shapes its character as a community institution serving families in this small Iowa town. Parents considering Storm Lake Elementary should recognize that the school is focused on student development with clear areas where academic improvement is a priority for staff and the broader school community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Math vs. State Avg-36.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,922

Storm Lake Elementary — Students at Storm Lake Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.8%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 44.9%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2025
Math
48.2%
ELA
43.5%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Storm Lake Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in IA
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers

Location

PO BOX 638 1810 Hyland Drive, Storm Lake, IA 50588

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Storm Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Schaller-Crestland Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Schaller), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Albert City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Storm Lake, see our Storm Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 0.1 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 0.5 mi 7.5
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 1.8 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 1.8 mi 2.4
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 2.0 mi 7.7
Alta Elementary School Alta 4.1 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 4.1 mi 7.5
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 10.9 mi 9.2
Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School Schaller 13.2 mi 7.0
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 11.2 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 11.2 mi 7.8
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 13.5 mi 5.8
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 12.0 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 12.0 mi 6.8
Newell-Fonda High School Newell 12.0 mi 6.1
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 16.2 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 16.2 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 16.2 mi 6.8
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 16.9 mi 8.8
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 19.4 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50588 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,475

Median Home Value

$178,800

Median Rent

$836/mo

Population

13,346

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

67%

Avg Commute

11.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding Storm Lake Elementary has a median household income of $65,475. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,800, with a median rent of $836/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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
Eisenhower Elementary School Davenport, IA 4.6
Weber Elementary Iowa City, IA 4.6
Eason Elementary School Waukee, IA 4.5
Harrison Elementary School Davenport, IA 4.5
Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 4.7
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Storm Lake Elementary

What grades does Storm Lake Elementary serve?

Storm Lake Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 4th.

How many students attend Storm Lake Elementary?

Storm Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 807 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Storm Lake Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Storm Lake Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Storm Lake Elementary rank in IA?

Storm Lake Elementary is ranked #1147 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Storm Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Storm Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Storm Lake Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Storm Lake Elementary has 46.8% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Storm Lake Elementary a charter school?

No, Storm Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Storm Lake Elementary a Title I school?

No, Storm Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Storm Lake Elementary?

71.4% of students at Storm Lake Elementary 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

City Safety
High (1,975/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Storm Lake). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 4th
Enrollment
807
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Buena Vista County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.