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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,423

United Community School — Students at United Community School score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.3%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
71%
ELA
65.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in IA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (101/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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