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Average

#726 of 1,280 schools in IA

Valley Elementary School

Elementary School · North Fayette Valley Comm School District

23493 Canoe Rd, Elgin, IA 52141

Enrollment

191

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Elgin

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#408 of 662

In district

#4 of 4

North Fayette Valley Comm School District

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Valley Elementary School

Valley Elementary School in Elgin, Iowa, is a small rural elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 191 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Located on Canoe Road, Valley Elementary offers a close-knit community feel in its remote rural setting.

The academic performance at Valley Elementary shows solid proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (73%) and Math (78%), indicating that students are meeting grade-level expectations. However, the school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 suggests there is room for growth and improvement in certain areas. With its focus on individualized learning and a supportive rural environment, Valley Elementary School aims to foster the development and well-being of each student within its community.

The school’s setting offers students plenty of opportunities to connect with nature and engage in outdoor activities, enriching their overall educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 191 students, Valley Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Valley 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,405

Valley Elementary School — Students at Valley Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.4%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 75.2%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
81.5%
ELA
81.8%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Valley Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

23493 Canoe Rd, Elgin, IA 52141

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Elkader), which scores notably higher. Another option is MFL MarMac Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Monona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Union Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby West Union), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.0 mi
School Distance Rating
North Fayette Valley Middle School Elgin 0.0 mi 7.1
John R Mott Jr/Hi School Postville 8.6 mi 7.6
Cora B Darling Elementary Postville 8.7 mi 7.3
Postville Early Childhood Preschool/Post St/REC Center Postville 8.7 mi
Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St Postville 8.8 mi
North Fayette Valley High School West Union 7.4 mi 7.8
West Union Elementary School West Union 7.6 mi 8.4
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian 13.0 mi 7.9
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian 13.0 mi 7.0
SCENIC VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fayette 10.9 mi
Central Middle School/High School Elkader 14.8 mi 5.3
Central Elementary Elkader 14.8 mi 8.6
MFL MarMac High School Monona 14.2 mi 5.6
MFL MarMac Elementary School Monona 14.2 mi 8.5
Starmont Elementary School Arlington 19.6 mi 5.5
Starmont High School Arlington 19.6 mi 6.6
Starmont Middle School Arlington 19.6 mi 6.5
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 18.0 mi 7.3
West Central Charter High School Maynard 18.0 mi 6.1
West Central PK - 8 School Maynard 18.0 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52141 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,250

Median Home Value

$96,400

Median Rent

$634/mo

Population

1,321

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

88%

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

47.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Elementary School has a median household income of $69,250. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $96,400, with a median rent of $634/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.0
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah, IA 6.0
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing, IA 6.0
Irwin Elementary School Irwin, IA 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City, IA 6.0
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Elementary School

What grades does Valley Elementary School serve?

Valley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Valley Elementary School?

Valley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 191 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Elementary School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Elementary School rank in IA?

Valley Elementary School is ranked #726 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Valley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Valley Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Elementary School has 78.4% math proficiency and 75.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valley Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Valley Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

40.3% of students at Valley 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

County Safety
Low (93/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
191
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Fayette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Fayette Valley Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,058
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,621
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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