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Very Good

#268 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 21% in state

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center

Elementary School · Van Buren County Comm School District

1313 1st Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565

Enrollment

298

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Keosauqua

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#182 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Van Buren County Comm School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center is an elementary school located in the remote rural area of Keosauqua, Iowa. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has a total enrollment of 298 students. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio at Douds Center is 11.5:1, providing a relatively personalized educational experience for each child.

Academically, Douds Center performs with room for improvement according to state standards and MySchoolScout ratings. The school ranks 37th percentile among Iowa schools, indicating there’s potential for growth in academic performance. Students show proficiency rates of 66% in ELA/reading and 67% in math, while outperforming the state average in science at 82%.

These scores suggest a strong focus on STEM subjects. Douds Center is situated in Van Buren County, where community involvement and support likely play significant roles in student life. The school's remote location offers students unique opportunities to engage with their natural surroundings, fostering a connection between education and the local environment.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center 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 Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,838

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center — Students at Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.1%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 66.0%
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
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
73.5%
ELA
67.7%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Compares

See how Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
79th percentile in IA
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

1313 1st Street, Keosauqua, IA 52565

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pekin Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Packwood), with a very similar rating. Another option is Washington Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Pence Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Keosauqua, see our Keosauqua schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua 9.5 mi 8.0
Cardinal High School Eldon 11.7 mi 6.8
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 11.7 mi 6.8
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 11.9 mi 5.0
Fairfield Middle School Fairfield 12.8 mi 7.4
Pence Elementary Fairfield 12.9 mi 6.1
Washington Elementary Fairfield 13.6 mi 6.9
MAHARISHI SCHOOL Fairfield 14.1 mi 9.4
Fairfield High School Fairfield 14.0 mi 5.2
SINGING CEDARS SCHOOL Fairfield 15.5 mi
Davis County Elementary Bloomfield 17.5 mi 6.0
Davis County Middle School Bloomfield 17.5 mi 4.6
Davis County Community High School Bloomfield 17.5 mi 5.1
Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood 22.5 mi 6.7
Pekin Elementary School Packwood 22.5 mi 7.5
PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood 22.5 mi
DC Online Bloomfield 18.0 mi 4.5
Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa 20.5 mi 5.4
Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa 20.7 mi 3.4
Ottumwa High School Ottumwa 20.7 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52565 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,650

Median Home Value

$170,800

Median Rent

$707/mo

Population

1,868

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

82%

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

50.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center has a median household income of $60,650. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,800, with a median rent of $707/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% 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
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA 7.5
Bluff Elementary School Clinton, IA 7.5
Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus, IA 7.5
Forest Grove Elementary Bettendorf, IA 7.5
Johnson Elementary Spencer, IA 7.5
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center

What grades does Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center serve?

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center?

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center rank in IA?

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center is ranked #268 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Buren County Community School District Douds Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center has 67.1% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center a charter school?

No, Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center a Title I school?

No, Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center?

54.4% of students at Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (373/100K)

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
298
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Van Buren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Van Buren County Comm School District
District Enrollment
834
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,130
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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