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Average

#893 of 1,280 schools in IA

Wapello Elementary School

Elementary School · Wapello Comm School District

505 N Cedar, Wapello, IA 52653

Enrollment

230

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#893 of 1,280

In Wapello

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Wapello Comm School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Wapello Elementary School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Wapello · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wapello Senior High School

6.4/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wapello Junior High School

6.0/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wapello Elementary School

Wapello Elementary School is a public elementary school in Wapello, IA, part of Wapello Comm School District. Wapello Elementary School serves approximately 230 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Wapello Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #893 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Wapello Elementary School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Wapello 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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,323
Chronic Absenteeism13.9%

Wapello Elementary School — Students at Wapello Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 66.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
73%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
65.3%
ELA
63.5%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Wapello Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in IA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

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 8.4/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Morning Sun), which scores notably higher. Another option is Roundy Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Columbus Junction), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Louisa-Muscatine Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Letts), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wapello, see our Wapello schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Wapello Senior High School Wapello 0.4 mi 6.4
Wapello Junior High School Wapello 0.4 mi 6.0
Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun 6.8 mi 8.4
Louisa-Muscatine JR/SR High School Letts 8.5 mi 7.3
Louisa-Muscatine Elementary Letts 8.5 mi 8.1
Mediapolis Elementary School Mediapolis 11.9 mi 6.1
Mediapolis High School Mediapolis 11.9 mi 6.5
Mediapolis Middle School Mediapolis 11.9 mi 7.6
Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction 10.9 mi 6.5
Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction 10.9 mi 6.8
Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction 11.0 mi 8.2
New Boston Elem School New Boston 10.4 mi 4.7
Winfield Elementary School Winfield 13.5 mi 6.1
Winfield-Mt Union Jr-Sr High School Winfield 13.5 mi 5.2
Franklin Elementary School Muscatine 17.2 mi 6.5
Susan Clark Junior High Muscatine 17.9 mi 8.5
McKinley Elementary School Muscatine 18.1 mi 3.6
SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine 18.6 mi 7.4
Muscatine High School Muscatine 18.6 mi 4.8
Jefferson Elementary School Muscatine 18.5 mi 4.4

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton, IA 5.5
ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City, IA 5.5
River Valley Elementary Washta, IA 5.5
Wright Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.5
Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA 5.6
Aplington Elementary School Aplington, IA 5.6

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 ranks #893 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Wapello Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wapello Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Wapello Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wapello Elementary School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

District

Wapello Comm School District
District Enrollment
509
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,323
District Rank
#3 of 3

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