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Very Good

#131 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 10% in state

West Hancock Elementary School

Elementary School · West Hancock Comm School District

PO BOX 128 510 9th Ave SW, Britt, IA 50423

Enrollment

290

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Britt

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#99 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

West Hancock Comm School District

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About West Hancock Elementary School

West Hancock Elementary School serves 290 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Britt, Iowa, ranking impressively at #83 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide. This places the school in the 94th percentile across Iowa, earning a strong 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an even stronger 82% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, West Hancock maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.3 to 1, allowing for reasonable individual attention in the classroom setting. Students come from a community where the median household income is $60,489 and the poverty rate stands at 12.2%. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while median home values average $104,900, reflecting the affordable rural character of the region.

The school's academic score of 8.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite its rural setting. West Hancock Elementary operates in Iowa's remote countryside, serving families in Hancock County's close-knit agricultural community where educational achievement remains a priority for both the school and surrounding families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Hancock 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 Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,698

West Hancock Elementary School — Students at West Hancock Elementary School score 82% 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

43.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.9%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 78.4%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 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
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
86.7%
ELA
85.6%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How West Hancock Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
90th percentile in IA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 128 510 9th Ave SW, Britt, IA 50423

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Hancock Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest City Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Garner), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center (rated 7.3/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Buffalo Center), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Britt, see our Britt schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.8 mi
School Distance Rating
West Hancock High School Britt 0.1 mi 8.3
West Hancock Middle School Kanawha 10.8 mi 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner 10.2 mi 7.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner 10.2 mi 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 10.3 mi 7.4
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 14.3 mi 8.3
Forest City High School Forest City 14.5 mi 8.2
Forest City Middle School Forest City 14.6 mi 7.0
Belmond-Klemme Alternative School Belmond 19.8 mi
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond 19.7 mi 3.8
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond 19.8 mi 7.3
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 21.6 mi 7.3
North Iowa High School Buffalo Center 21.6 mi 5.9
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center 21.6 mi 7.7
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion 25.0 mi 5.4
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion 25.0 mi 6.7
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion 25.0 mi 5.3
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 20.1 mi 6.7
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 20.4 mi 4.1
Algona High School Algona 20.8 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50423 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,966

Median Home Value

$110,200

Median Rent

$989/mo

Population

2,401

College Educated

25.3%

Homeownership

82.3%

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

49.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Hancock Elementary School has a median household income of $65,966. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,200, with a median rent of $989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dexter Elementary School Dexter, IA 7.9
Eddyville Elementary Eddyville, IA 7.9
Franklin Elementary School Muscatine, IA 7.9
Hinton Elementary School Hinton, IA 7.9
Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 7.9
John Cline Elementary School Decorah, IA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Hancock Elementary School

What grades does West Hancock Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend West Hancock Elementary School?

West Hancock Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Hancock Elementary School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Hancock Elementary School rank in IA?

West Hancock Elementary School is ranked #131 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Hancock Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Hancock Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Hancock Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Hancock Elementary School has 83.9% math proficiency and 78.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Hancock Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is West Hancock Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

43.1% of students at West Hancock 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (317/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Hancock County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Hancock Comm School District
District Enrollment
628
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,275
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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