Average
#696 of 1,280 schools in IA
West Elementary School
Elementary School · Independence Comm School District · Independence, IA
An Independence Comm School District elementary school serving grades 3rd – 6th.
1301 1st St W, Independence, IA 50644
- Math 71% vs IA 74% (2025)
- Reading 72% vs IA 73% (2025)
- 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at West Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
2025 ISASP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 10 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 72% recently.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 79% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 75% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
43.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where West Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 25Car-Dependent
- Bike 40Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated820/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Independence), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$79,861
Median home value
$174,000
Median rent
$770/mo
College educated
23.7%
Homeownership
77.6%
Poverty rate
7.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 50644; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
2 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Johns SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.2 | PK–8 | 1.0 mi | 135 | Compare → |
| Independence Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | 4–10 | 1.6 mi | 2 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Independence Comm School District
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #2 of 4
- District spending per student
- $12,940NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 13.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
West Elementary School is listed in Independence Comm School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West Elementary School
West Elementary School is a public elementary school in Independence, IA, part of Independence Comm School District, serving approximately 371 students in grades 3rd-6th with a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #696 of 1,280 schools in IA. State assessment records show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about West Elementary School
What grades does West Elementary School serve?
West Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend West Elementary School?
West Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Elementary School is 10.9:1. 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 #696 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 79% 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?
43.7% 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Buchanan County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.7%
- Phone
- (319) 334-7430
- Area population (ZIP 50644)
- 8,475
- Area average commute
- 22.7 min
- Area median age
- 42.9
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 50644; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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