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Excellent

#244 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 19% in state

Underwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Underwood Comm School District

PO BOX 160 601 Third Street, Underwood, IA 51576

Enrollment

415

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#244 of 1,280

In Underwood

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Underwood Comm School District

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Underwood Elementary School

8.0/10

Elementary School in Underwood · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Underwood Middle School

7.3/10

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

Underwood High School

7.1/10

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

About Underwood Elementary School

Underwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Underwood, IA, part of Underwood Comm School District. Underwood Elementary School serves approximately 415 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Underwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #244 of 1,280 schools in IA.

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

How it compares1.5 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Underwood Elementary School 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Overall Proficiency87% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)85% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,420
Chronic Absenteeism3.1%

Underwood Elementary School — Students at Underwood Elementary School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 84.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 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
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
87.5%
ELA
87.4%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Underwood Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
81th percentile in IA
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
3.1%

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

PO BOX 160 601 Third Street, Underwood, IA 51576

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Underwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Treynor Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Treynor), which scores slightly higher. Another option is College View Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Council Bluffs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tri-Center Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Neola), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Underwood, see our Underwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Underwood Middle School Underwood 0.0 mi 7.3
Underwood High School Underwood 0.4 mi 7.1
Tri-Center Middle School Neola 9.4 mi 5.8
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 9.4 mi 8.4
Tri-Center High School Neola 9.4 mi 4.8
College View Elementary Council Bluffs 10.3 mi 8.5
Treynor High School Treynor 11.3 mi 8.1
Treynor Middle School Treynor 11.3 mi 7.4
Treynor Elementary School Treynor 11.4 mi 8.7
ST ALBERT CATHOLIC Council Bluffs 11.2 mi 5.9
Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs 11.3 mi 3.8
Gerald W Kirn Middle School Council Bluffs 11.0 mi 6.9
Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs 11.1 mi 6.6
Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs 11.0 mi 7.2
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL Council Bluffs 12.9 mi
Titan Hill Intermediate School Council Bluffs 13.3 mi 6.3
Lewis Central Middle School Council Bluffs 13.4 mi 7.9
Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs 12.5 mi 5.4
Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs 13.4 mi 5.6
Roosevelt Elementary School Council Bluffs 12.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,679

Median Home Value

$291,500

Median Rent

$819/mo

Population

1,890

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

90%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

2%

Median Age

37.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Lyon Elementary School Rock Rapids, IA 8.0
Cornell Elementary School Des Moines, IA 8.0
Easton Valley Elementary School Miles, IA 8.0
Ekstrand Elementary School De Witt, IA 8.0
Irving Elementary School Waterloo, IA 8.0
Lenox Elementary School Lenox, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Underwood Elementary School

What grades does Underwood Elementary School serve?

Underwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Underwood Elementary School?

Underwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Underwood Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Underwood Elementary School rank in IA?

Underwood Elementary School ranks #244 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Underwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Underwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Underwood Elementary School?

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

Is Underwood Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Underwood Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

17.8% of students at Underwood 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pottawattamie County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
3.1%

District

Underwood Comm School District
District Enrollment
862
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,420
District Rank
#1 of 3

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