Average
#625 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 49% in state
Van Allen Elementary School
Elementary School · Chariton Comm School District
1129 Ashland, Chariton, IA 50049
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chariton
#4 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#358 of 662
In district
#4 of 4
Chariton Comm School District
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Van Allen Elementary School
Van Allen Elementary School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Chariton, Iowa. Serving students from third to fifth grade, Van Allen has an enrollment of 276 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance is rated at 4.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 23rd percentile among Iowa schools.
Specifically, 66% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 62% in math, and 72% in science. While Van Allen Elementary shows areas where academic growth is needed, it continues to focus on student development and community engagement. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit environment with a strong sense of community support for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Van Allen 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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Van Allen Elementary School — Students at Van Allen Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
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: 7.3/10.
How Van Allen Elementary School Compares
See how Van Allen Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 60% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 63% (2022).
Location
1129 Ashland, Chariton, IA 50049
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Allen Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeast Warren Primary (rated 8.1/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Milo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mormon Trail Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Humeston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Seymour Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Seymour), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chariton, see our Chariton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton High School Chariton | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Chariton Middle School Chariton | 0.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Columbus Elementary School Chariton | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Southeast Warren Intermediate Lacona | 12.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Melcher-Dallas High School Melcher | 14.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Melcher-Dallas Elementary Dallas | 15.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston | 15.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston | 15.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center | 15.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Wayne Community Jr-Sr High School Corydon | 18.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Wayne Elementary School Corydon | 18.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Southeast Warren Primary Milo | 19.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville | 22.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville | 22.5 mi | 7.4 |
| West Elementary Knoxville | 22.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Pleasantville High School Pleasantville | 25.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville | 25.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville | 25.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Northstar Elementary School Knoxville | 23.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Seymour Elementary School Seymour | 25.8 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50049 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,750
Median Home Value
$123,700
Median Rent
$731/mo
Population
6,425
College Educated
15.8%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
17.6 min
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Allen Elementary School has a median household income of $66,750. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,700, with a median rent of $731/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbus Elementary School Chariton, IA | 6.4 |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck, IA | 6.4 |
| La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City, IA | 6.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 6.4 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville, IA | 6.4 |
| Northwood-Kensett Elementary Northwood, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Allen Elementary School
What grades does Van Allen Elementary School serve?
Van Allen Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Van Allen Elementary School?
Van Allen Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 276 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Allen Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Allen Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Allen Elementary School rank in IA?
Van Allen Elementary School is ranked #625 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Van Allen Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Allen Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Van Allen Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Allen Elementary School has 62.1% math proficiency and 65.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Allen Elementary School a charter school?
No, Van Allen Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Allen Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Van Allen Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Allen Elementary School?
52.9% of students at Van Allen 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (910/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 276
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Lucas County
- Phone
- (641) 774-5047
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chariton Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,298
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,128
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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