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Very Good

#167 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 13% 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Emmetsburg

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#122 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Emmetsburg Comm School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About West Elementary School

West Elementary School serves 285 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Emmetsburg, Iowa. This regular public school has earned a solid 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks impressively at #187 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with an 8.9 out of 10 academic score.

Students consistently achieve above-average results, with 75% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 72% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. These scores reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education to its young learners. West Elementary operates with 5 full-time equivalent teachers serving its student body, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 57:1.

The school's location at 602 Call Street places it at the heart of a community where families have a median household income of $60,000 and median home values of $123,800. About 20% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.1% of families live below the poverty line. The school serves the rural community of Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, providing early elementary education in Iowa's remote rural landscape where close-knit community values and agricultural heritage shape the educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at West Elementary School is 57:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, West 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 Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio57:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,901

West Elementary School — Students at West Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

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 76.2%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 77.7%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
80.4%
ELA
80.1%

* 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
87th percentile in IA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
57:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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 9.5/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Fenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graettinger-Terril Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Terril), which scores notably higher. 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 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 0.5 mi 8.6
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 0.8 mi 7.3
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 9.2 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 9.2 mi 6.9
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 11.0 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 11.0 mi 6.3
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 16.0 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 16.0 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 16.0 mi 6.5
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 19.9 mi 4.2
North Union Elementary Fenton 16.4 mi 9.5
Demoney Elementary Estherville 20.9 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 21.0 mi 5.8
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 21.0 mi 7.9
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 19.7 mi 9.1
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 22.0 mi
North Union High School Armstrong 22.2 mi 8.4
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 26.3 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 26.4 mi 5.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Elementary School has a median household income of $62,404. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,300, with a median rent of $599/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clark Elementary School Le Mars, IA 7.8
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart, IA 7.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner, IA 7.8
Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield, IA 7.8
South Elementary School Leon, IA 7.8
Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City, 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 is ranked #167 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Elementary School has 76.2% math proficiency and 77.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Elevated (806/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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