Average
#809 of 1,280 schools in IA
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
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Underwood
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#445 of 662
In district
#2 of 3
Underwood Comm School District
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Underwood Elementary School
Underwood Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Underwood, Iowa. Serving students from preschool through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 415 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Underwood Elementary is solid, with 84% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA/reading and 83% reaching proficiency in math.
Additionally, an impressive 86% of students are proficient or above in science. While the school’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.7 out of 10, placing it around the 55th percentile among Iowa schools, these numbers suggest a strong foundation for academic success with room for growth and improvement. The rural setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere where students benefit from personalized attention and supportive learning environments.
Located in a quiet, rural area, Underwood Elementary School offers a nurturing environment that values individual student development alongside academic achievement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Underwood Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Underwood Elementary School — Students at Underwood Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.5/10.
How Underwood Elementary School Compares
See how Underwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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. Tri-Center Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Neola), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hoover Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Council Bluffs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, College View Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Council Bluffs), which scores notably 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 | 6.5 |
| Underwood High School Underwood | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Tri-Center Middle School Neola | 9.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Tri-Center Elementary School Neola | 9.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Tri-Center High School Neola | 9.4 mi | 5.6 |
| College View Elementary Council Bluffs | 10.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Treynor High School Treynor | 11.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Treynor Middle School Treynor | 11.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Treynor Elementary School Treynor | 11.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ST ALBERT CATHOLIC Council Bluffs | 11.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs | 11.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Gerald W Kirn Middle School Council Bluffs | 11.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs | 11.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs | 11.0 mi | 6.8 |
| ONESCHOOL GLOBAL Council Bluffs | 12.9 mi | — |
| Titan Hill Intermediate School Council Bluffs | 13.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Lewis Central Middle School Council Bluffs | 13.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs | 12.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs | 13.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Council Bluffs | 12.7 mi | 7.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Underwood Elementary School has a median household income of $107,679. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,500, with a median rent of $819/month. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield, IA | 6.0 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 6.0 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill, IA | 6.0 |
| Irving Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 6.0 |
| Janesville Elementary School Janesville, IA | 6.0 |
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 is ranked #809 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Underwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Underwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Underwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Underwood Elementary School has 83.1% math proficiency and 83.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (180/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (712) 566-2326
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Underwood Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 862
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,420
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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