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Very Good

#290 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 23% in state

West Elementary School

Elementary School · Emmetsburg Comm School District

602 Call St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Enrollment

285

Student-Teacher

57:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#290 of 1,280

In Emmetsburg

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Emmetsburg Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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West Elementary School

7.8/10

Elementary School in Emmetsburg · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Emmetsburg High School

5.4/10

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

Emmetsburg Middle School

8.2/10

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

About West Elementary School

West Elementary School is a public elementary school in Emmetsburg, IA, part of Emmetsburg Comm School District. West Elementary School serves approximately 285 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 57:1 student-teacher ratio. West Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #290 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for West Elementary School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

West Elementary School runs 57:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

West 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 Progress9.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency85.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency83% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment1.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio57:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,201
Chronic Absenteeism7.7%

West Elementary School — Students at West Elementary School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 74.5% (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
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
85.2%
ELA
81.4%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How West Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
77th percentile in IA
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
57:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

602 Call St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Union Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Fenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Bend-Mallard Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby West Bend), with a very similar rating. Additionally, EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Emmetsburg, see our Emmetsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 0.5 mi 5.4
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 0.5 mi 8.2
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 0.8 mi 7.3
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 9.2 mi 5.3
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 9.2 mi 4.5
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 11.0 mi 3.4
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 11.0 mi 5.3
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 16.0 mi 7.8
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 16.0 mi 6.7
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 16.0 mi 5.3
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 19.9 mi 4.8
North Union Elementary Fenton 16.4 mi 9.8
Demoney Elementary Estherville 20.9 mi 6.0
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 21.0 mi 4.6
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 21.0 mi 8.1
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 19.7 mi 6.9
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 22.0 mi
North Union High School Armstrong 22.2 mi 8.6
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 26.3 mi 5.7
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 26.4 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,404

Median Home Value

$121,300

Median Rent

$599/mo

Population

4,287

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

43.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexander Elementary Iowa City, IA 7.8
Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden, IA 7.8
Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA 7.8
Center Point-Urbana Primary School Center Point, IA 7.8
Dallas Center Elementary Grimes, IA 7.8
Davis Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Elementary School

What grades does West Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend West Elementary School?

West Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Elementary School is 57:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Elementary School rank in IA?

West Elementary School ranks #290 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 West Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Elementary School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is West Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

44.6% of students at West 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher Ratio
57:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Palo Alto County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.7%

District

Emmetsburg Comm School District
District Enrollment
771
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,201
District Rank
#2 of 3

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