Average
#458 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 36% in state
United Community School
Elementary School · United Comm School District
1284 U Ave, Boone, IA 50036
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Boone
#2 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#281 of 662
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About United Community School
United Community School serves 331 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Boone, Iowa, offering a strong elementary education with a solid 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks impressively at #162 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a comfortable 13.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio, United Community School demonstrates strong academic performance across core subjects.
Students excel particularly in mathematics, with 82% achieving proficiency or above, while 77% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. The school serves families in a stable community where the median household income reaches $72,440 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.7%. The area's median home value of $157,000 reflects an affordable housing market, while 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a moderately educated population of 16,418 within the zip code.
United Community School's combination of solid academic achievement, manageable class sizes, and strong state ranking makes it an appealing choice for families seeking quality elementary education. The school is situated in a rural area near the town of Boone, providing students with a close-knit learning environment while maintaining access to broader community resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, United Community 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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United Community School — Students at United Community School score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How United Community School Compares
See how United Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
1284 U Ave, Boone, IA 50036
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering United Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwards Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Ames), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sawyer Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Ames), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Madrid Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Madrid), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Boone, see our Boone schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 4.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Boone Middle School Boone | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Sawyer Elementary School Ames | 5.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 5.4 mi | 6.3 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Boone | 6.0 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Boone | 6.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Boone High School Boone | 6.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Franklin Elementary School Boone | 6.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Ames High School Ames | 7.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Madrid High School Madrid | 10.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Madrid Junior High School Madrid | 10.0 mi | 7.3 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 7.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 7.7 mi | 7.1 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 7.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert | 8.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Madrid Elementary Preschool Madrid | 10.5 mi | — |
| Madrid Elementary School Madrid | 10.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert | 8.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 8.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 8.2 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,107
Median Home Value
$172,900
Median Rent
$804/mo
Population
16,318
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
78.9%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding United Community School has a median household income of $74,107. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,900, with a median rent of $804/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| East Union Elementary Afton, IA | 6.9 |
| Prairie Crest Elementary Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.9 |
| Riverside Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 6.9 |
| Washington Elementary Fairfield, IA | 6.9 |
| Woodbury Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 6.9 |
| Alexander Elementary Iowa City, IA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about United Community School
What grades does United Community School serve?
United Community School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend United Community School?
United Community School has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at United Community School?
The student-teacher ratio at United Community School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does United Community School rank in IA?
United Community School is ranked #458 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is United Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
United Community School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 United Community School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, United Community School has 74.3% math proficiency and 67.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is United Community School a charter school?
No, United Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is United Community School a Title I school?
No, United Community School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for United Community School?
19.0% of students at United Community 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 331
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Boone County
- Phone
- (515) 432-5319
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
United Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 331
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,546
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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