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Average

#460 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 36% 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

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Meter

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#283 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Van Meter Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Van Meter Elementary School

Van Meter Elementary School serves 571 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Van Meter, Iowa, a community in Dallas County. This regular public school maintains a manageable 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio with 34 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #113 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 93% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 88% reach proficiency in mathematics. These strong outcomes contribute to the school's impressive 9.9 out of 10 academic score. Van Meter Elementary draws from a well-established community where 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $140,257.

The neighborhood's stability is reflected in a remarkably low 1.6% poverty rate and median home values of $269,300. With a ZIP code population of 2,866, families enjoy the close-knit feel of a smaller community. The school operates in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of both pastoral surroundings and community connectivity in Dallas County.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Van Meter 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 Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency88%
Reading/ELA Proficiency93%
Math vs. State Avg+11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency91%
Expected (poverty-adj.)86%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,282

Van Meter Elementary School — Students at Van Meter Elementary School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 90.1%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 90.4%
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
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
88%
ELA
85%
2022
Math
88%
ELA
93%
2025
Math
92.5%
ELA
92.4%

* 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 Meter Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
9%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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. Woodland Hills Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby West Des Moines), with a comparable rating. Another option is Maple Grove Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby West Des Moines), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Sugar Creek Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Waukee), 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 6.5
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto 3.0 mi 7.8
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 4.6 mi 6.3
Timberline School Waukee 5.8 mi 6.3
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 6.3 mi 6.2
ADM Senior High School Adel 6.4 mi 7.1
ADM Middle School Adel 6.4 mi 7.9
South Middle School Waukee 6.1 mi 4.7
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 6.7 mi 6.0
Meadow View Elementary Adel 6.7 mi 6.0
Waukee Middle School Waukee 6.8 mi 7.1
Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 6.0 mi 6.6
Waukee High School Waukee 6.8 mi 5.5
Northwest High School Waukee 7.5 mi 7.2
Prairieview School Waukee 7.0 mi 5.5
Adel Elementary School Adel 7.5 mi 6.1
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines 7.2 mi 6.4
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee 8.1 mi 4.9
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines 7.7 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Van Meter Elementary School has a median household income of $150,341. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $318,600, with a median rent of $979/month. The local poverty rate of 1.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle, IA 6.9
Carver Elementary School Dubuque, IA 6.9
Liberty Elementary School Sioux City, IA 6.9
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo, IA 6.9
Prairie Crest Elementary Cedar Rapids, IA 6.9
Webster Elementary School Urbandale, IA 6.9

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 is ranked #460 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Van Meter Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Meter Elementary 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 Van Meter Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Meter Elementary School has 90.1% math proficiency and 90.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (110/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Van Meter). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Van Meter Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,117
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,683
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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