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Very Good

#361 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 28% in state

Taft Elementary School

Elementary School · Humboldt Comm School District

612 2nd Ave North, Humboldt, IA 50548

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

1st – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Humboldt

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#232 of 662

In district

#1 of 4

Humboldt Comm School District

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Taft Elementary School

Taft Elementary School serves 415 students in grades 1-4 in Humboldt, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10, the school ranks 10th out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile for academic achievement. The school's academic excellence is evident in its impressive test scores, with 87% of students scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.

This strong performance is supported by a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, allowing the 34 full-time equivalent teachers to provide more individualized attention to their students. Taft Elementary operates within a stable community where the median household income is $68,440 and median home value is $154,300. While 24% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves a diverse population with a 13.1% poverty rate in the surrounding area.

Despite being situated in a remote town setting, Taft Elementary has established itself as an academic standout, consistently delivering exceptional educational outcomes for young learners. The school's location in Humboldt County provides students with a close-knit, small-town educational experience while maintaining high academic standards.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.9 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,486

Taft Elementary School — Students at Taft Elementary School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 86.0%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 82.2%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 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
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
87.1%
ELA
85%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Taft Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in IA
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

612 2nd Ave North, Humboldt, IA 50548

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Taft Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Twin Rivers Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Bode), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Fort Dodge), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Barnum), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Humboldt, see our Humboldt schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 0.3 mi 5.2
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 0.7 mi 4.0
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 0.8 mi 6.9
Humboldt High School Humboldt 0.9 mi 4.8
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode 10.6 mi 8.9
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 14.0 mi 4.3
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge 14.3 mi 3.6
Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge 14.7 mi 3.3
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge 14.8 mi 4.0
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 14.9 mi 5.3
ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge 14.9 mi 5.0
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge 14.8 mi 5.6
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 11.3 mi 4.7
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge 15.3 mi 5.9
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 15.5 mi 5.3
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge 16.0 mi 3.6
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 16.0 mi 8.1
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 16.8 mi 7.0
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 15.8 mi 5.7
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 15.8 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50548 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,043

Median Home Value

$177,700

Median Rent

$731/mo

Population

5,482

College Educated

25.1%

Homeownership

71%

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Taft Elementary School has a median household income of $71,043. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,700, with a median rent of $731/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. 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
Big Creek Elementary Polk City, IA 7.2
Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA 7.2
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA 7.2
Clark Elementary School New London, IA 7.2
Dike Elementary School Dike, IA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Taft Elementary School

What grades does Taft Elementary School serve?

Taft Elementary School serves students in grades 1st through 4th.

How many students attend Taft Elementary School?

Taft Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Taft Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Taft Elementary School rank in IA?

Taft Elementary School is ranked #361 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Taft Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Taft 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 Taft Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Taft Elementary School has 86.0% math proficiency and 82.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Taft Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Taft Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

38.6% of students at Taft 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
71 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
County Safety
Average (543/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 4th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Humboldt County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Humboldt Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,481
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,132
District Rank
#1 of 4

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

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