Very Good
#303 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 24% in state
Wapello Elementary School
Elementary School · Wapello Comm School District
505 N Cedar, Wapello, IA 52653
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wapello
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#196 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Wapello Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Wapello Elementary School
Wapello Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Wapello, Iowa, in Louisa County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 230 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Wapello Elementary places it in the 56th percentile among Iowa schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.8 out of 10.
In terms of proficiency rates, 63% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while the same percentage is proficient in math. Science proficiency stands at 57%. The school is situated in a remote rural area, offering students a close-knit community setting with plenty of natural surroundings and outdoor opportunities nearby.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Wapello 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 metricsView breakdown
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Wapello Elementary School — Students at Wapello Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.1%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Wapello Elementary School Compares
See how Wapello Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
505 N Cedar, Wapello, IA 52653
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wapello Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Morning Sun Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Morning Sun), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Louisa-Muscatine Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Letts), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Muscatine), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wapello, see our Wapello schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,990
Median Home Value
$152,400
Median Rent
$799/mo
Population
3,203
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wapello Elementary School has a median household income of $80,990. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,400, with a median rent of $799/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| Alden Elementary School Alden, IA | 7.4 |
| Buffalo Elementary School Buffalo, IA | 7.4 |
| Keota Elementary School Keota, IA | 7.4 |
| Mulberry Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 7.4 |
| Runnells Elementary Runnels, IA | 7.4 |
| SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine, IA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wapello Elementary School
What grades does Wapello Elementary School serve?
Wapello Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Wapello Elementary School?
Wapello Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 230 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wapello Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wapello Elementary School 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 Wapello Elementary School rank in IA?
Wapello Elementary School is ranked #303 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Wapello Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wapello Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Wapello Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wapello Elementary School has 62.8% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wapello Elementary School a charter school?
No, Wapello Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wapello Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Wapello Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wapello Elementary School?
29.1% of students at Wapello 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 230
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Louisa County
- Phone
- (319) 523-5571
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wapello Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,323
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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