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Excellent

#183 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 14% in state

Based on limited data

The Cougars Den

Elementary School · AGWSR Comm School District

413 State St, Ackley, IA 50601

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

35

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – Kindergarten

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#183 of 1,280

In Ackley

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 5

AGWSR Comm School District

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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The Cougars Den

8.1/10

Elementary School in Ackley · grades Pre-K – Kindergarten. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Agwsr Elementary School

5.8/10

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

Agwsr High School

5.2/10

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

About The Cougars Den

The Cougars Den is a public elementary school in Ackley, IA, part of AGWSR Comm School District. The Cougars Den serves approximately 35 students, and covers grades Pre-K-Kindergarten, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. The Cougars Den has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #183 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Based on limited data: 40% component coverage.

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 35 students, The Cougars Den is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

The Cougars Den sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on IA state average
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,848
Chronic Absenteeism2.9%

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How The Cougars Den Compares

See how The Cougars Den performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
2.9%

Location

413 State St, Ackley, IA 50601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Cougars Den may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkersburg Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Parkersburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rock Run Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Iowa Falls), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg (rated 8.1/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Wellsburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ackley, see our Ackley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.2 mi
School Distance Rating
AGWSR Elementary School Ackley 0.2 mi 5.8
AGWSR High School Ackley 0.2 mi 5.2
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg 9.3 mi 5.6
Aplington Elementary School Aplington 8.6 mi 5.6
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington 8.6 mi 9.0
AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg 10.3 mi 6.5
AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg Wellsburg 10.3 mi 8.1
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora 13.4 mi 6.6
South Hardin High School Eldora 14.0 mi 6.7
Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls 11.1 mi 9.1
Riverbend Middle School Iowa Falls 11.4 mi 7.4
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls 11.4 mi 5.3
Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls 11.7 mi 5.2
South Side Elementary School Hampton 14.9 mi 5.3
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 15.7 mi 5.1
North Side Elementary School Hampton 15.9 mi 5.7
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 16.0 mi 4.9
Parkersburg Elementary School Parkersburg 13.7 mi 9.6
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg 13.9 mi 8.2
Choice Charter School Union 21.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,869

Median Home Value

$114,200

Median Rent

$831/mo

Population

2,377

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

82.7%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

44

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sheldon, IA 8.1
SPALDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA 7.9
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville, IA 7.4
QUAD CITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Davenport, IA 6.8
SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA 6.7
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Cougars Den

What grades does The Cougars Den serve?

The Cougars Den serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.

How many students attend The Cougars Den?

The Cougars Den has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Cougars Den?

The student-teacher ratio at The Cougars Den is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Cougars Den rank in IA?

The Cougars Den ranks #183 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is The Cougars Den's MySchoolScout rating?

The Cougars Den has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

Is The Cougars Den a charter school?

No, The Cougars Den is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is The Cougars Den a Title I school?

No, The Cougars Den is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Cougars Den?

20.0% of students at The Cougars Den 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hardin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
2.9%

District

AGWSR Comm School District
District Enrollment
643
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,848
District Rank
#1 of 5

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