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Below Average

#1183 of 1,280 schools in IA

West Bend-mallard Elementary School

Elementary School · West Bend-Mallard Comm School District

PO BOX 247 300 3rd Ave SW, West Bend, IA 50562

Enrollment

184

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Bend

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#609 of 662

In district

#3 of 3

West Bend-Mallard Comm School District

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About West Bend-mallard Elementary School

West Bend-Mallard Elementary School serves 184 students in grades PreK through 4th in the small community of West Bend, Iowa. With 11 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7 to 1, allowing for personalized attention in this close-knit learning environment. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking 89th out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 93rd percentile.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 95% achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all tested grades. Located in Palo Alto County, the school draws from a community where the median household income is $67,188 and the poverty rate stands at 11.4%. While only 12% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's outstanding academic results reflect the dedication of both educators and families to student success.

The school's address at 300 3rd Ave SW places it at the heart of this remote rural community of just 394 residents, where median home values of $82,500 reflect the affordable, small-town character that defines this corner of Iowa.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 184 students, West Bend-mallard Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, West Bend-mallard 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 Progress1.4Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics10.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95%
Reading/ELA Proficiency95%
Math vs. State Avg+18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.9 pts
Overall Proficiency95%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+27.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile100th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,249

West Bend-mallard Elementary School — Students at West Bend-mallard Elementary School score 95% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.1%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 86.4%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2022
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2025
Math
75.3%
ELA
73.6%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How West Bend-mallard Elementary School Compares

See how West Bend-mallard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
8th percentile in IA
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO BOX 247 300 3rd Ave SW, West Bend, IA 50562

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Bend-mallard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Union Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Fenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Twin Rivers Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Bode), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Emmetsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Bend, see our West Bend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 0.0 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 0.0 mi 6.5
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode 10.2 mi 8.9
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 16.0 mi 4.7
Bryant Elementary School Algona 13.3 mi 5.6
Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona 13.4 mi 6.6
Algona High School Algona 13.5 mi 4.2
Algona Middle School Algona 13.5 mi 7.5
SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona 13.7 mi 5.6
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 14.1 mi 4.1
North Union Elementary Fenton 17.8 mi 9.5
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 14.7 mi 6.7
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 15.3 mi 7.3
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 16.0 mi 7.8
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 16.5 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 16.5 mi 8.6
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 19.2 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 19.3 mi
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 19.3 mi 5.4
Humboldt High School Humboldt 20.1 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50562 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,750

Median Home Value

$75,500

Median Rent

$1,146/mo

Population

346

College Educated

15.4%

Homeownership

80.6%

Poverty Rate

12.1%

Median Age

59

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Bend-mallard Elementary School has a median household income of $63,750. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $75,500, with a median rent of $1,146/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 4.3
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein, IA 4.3
Essex Elementary School Essex, IA 4.2
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens, IA 4.2
NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cresco, IA 4.5
Andrew Elementary School Andrew, IA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Bend-mallard Elementary School

What grades does West Bend-mallard Elementary School serve?

West Bend-mallard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend West Bend-mallard Elementary School?

West Bend-mallard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Bend-mallard Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Bend-mallard Elementary School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Bend-mallard Elementary School rank in IA?

West Bend-mallard Elementary School is ranked #1183 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Bend-mallard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Bend-mallard Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 West Bend-mallard Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Bend-mallard Elementary School has 87.1% math proficiency and 86.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Bend-mallard Elementary School a charter school?

No, West Bend-mallard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Bend-mallard Elementary School a Title I school?

No, West Bend-mallard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Bend-mallard Elementary School?

42.4% of students at West Bend-mallard 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

County Safety
Average (427/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Palo Alto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Bend-Mallard Comm School District
District Enrollment
414
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,663
District Rank
#3 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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