Excellent
#176 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 14% in state
Van Meter Elementary School
Elementary School · Van Meter Comm School District
PO BOX 257 520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261
Enrollment
571
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
571
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#176 of 1,280
In Van Meter
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Van Meter Comm School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Van Meter Elementary School
Elementary School in Van Meter · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Van Meter High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Van Meter Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Van Meter Elementary School
Van Meter Elementary School is a public elementary school in Van Meter, IA, part of Van Meter Comm School District. Van Meter Elementary School serves approximately 571 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Meter Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #176 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Van Meter Elementary School show 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Van Meter Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Van Meter Elementary School — Students at Van Meter Elementary School score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 89%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
9.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 9.6/10.
How Van Meter Elementary School Compares
See how Van Meter Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO BOX 257 520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Meter Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waukee Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Waukee), with a very similar rating. Another option is Meadow View Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Adel), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Maple Grove Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby West Des Moines), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Van Meter, see our Van Meter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Van Meter High School Van Meter | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Van Meter Middle School Van Meter | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Timberline School Waukee | 5.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Waukee Elementary School Waukee | 6.3 mi | 8.4 |
| ADM Senior High School Adel | 6.4 mi | 7.3 |
| ADM Middle School Adel | 6.4 mi | 7.8 |
| South Middle School Waukee | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee | 6.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Meadow View Elementary Adel | 6.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Waukee Middle School Waukee | 6.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 6.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Waukee High School Waukee | 6.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Northwest High School Waukee | 7.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Prairieview School Waukee | 7.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Adel Elementary School Adel | 7.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines | 7.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee | 8.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines | 7.7 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50261 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$150,341
Median Home Value
$318,600
Median Rent
$979/mo
Population
3,105
College Educated
41.3%
Homeownership
84.5%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Median Age
40.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ballard West Elementary Slater, IA | 8.2 |
| Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner, IA | 8.2 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert, IA | 8.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 8.2 |
| North Polk West Elementary School Polk City, IA | 8.2 |
| Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction, IA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Meter Elementary School
What grades does Van Meter Elementary School serve?
Van Meter Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Van Meter Elementary School?
Van Meter Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 571 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Meter Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Meter Elementary School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Meter Elementary School rank in IA?
Van Meter Elementary School ranks #176 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Van Meter Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Meter Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Van Meter Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Meter Elementary School has 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Van Meter Elementary School a charter school?
No, Van Meter Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Meter Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Van Meter Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Meter Elementary School?
9.3% of students at Van Meter 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 571
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 9.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Dallas County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.5%
- Phone
- (515) 996-2221
Resources & Links
District
Van Meter Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,117
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,683
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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