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Average

#463 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 36% in state

West Lyon Elementary School

Elementary School · West Lyon Comm School District

1787 182nd Street, Inwood, IA 51240

Enrollment

554

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Inwood

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#285 of 662

In district

#1 of 3

West Lyon Comm School District

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About West Lyon Elementary School

West Lyon Elementary School serves 554 students in grades Pre-K through 6th in the rural community of Inwood, Iowa. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, providing students with meaningful opportunities for individual attention and support. Academically, West Lyon Elementary demonstrates strong performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #253 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile.

The school's academic score of 9.1 out of 10 reflects impressive student achievement, with 85% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, and 81% reaching proficiency in Mathematics across all grade levels. The school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $86,875 and the poverty rate is notably low at just 2.7%. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 1,629 residents, with median home values around $159,000, reflecting an affordable cost of living typical of rural Iowa communities.

West Lyon Elementary provides a solid educational foundation in Iowa's peaceful countryside, where students benefit from both academic rigor and the close-knit atmosphere characteristic of rural school settings.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Lyon 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85%
Math vs. State Avg+4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected+7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,202

West Lyon Elementary School — Students at West Lyon Elementary School score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.9%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 85.2%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
79%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2022
Math
81%
ELA
85%
2025
Math
82%
ELA
86.9%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How West Lyon Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in IA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

1787 182nd Street, Inwood, IA 51240

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Lyon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lawrence Elementary - 02 (rated 8.4/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores notably higher. Another option is HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Beaver Creek), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Inspiration Elementary - 08 (rated 7.3/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Sioux Falls), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Inwood, see our Inwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.7 mi
School Distance Rating
West Lyon High School Inwood 0.0 mi 6.3
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood 0.0 mi 6.6
INWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Inwood 6.0 mi 5.5
HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hills 9.8 mi
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills 10.2 mi 7.3
Lawrence Elementary - 02 Canton 9.6 mi 8.4
Canton High School - 01 Canton 10.0 mi 4.4
Canton Middle School - 04 Canton 10.0 mi 6.3
Valley Springs Elementary - 04 Valley Springs 13.3 mi 6.6
NORTHWEST IOWA PROTESTANT REFORMED SCHOOL Doon 12.5 mi
ROCK VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Valley 14.4 mi 6.0
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK ELEMENTARY Beaver Creek 15.5 mi 7.5
Rock Valley Elementary School Rock Valley 14.5 mi 6.7
Rock Valley High School Rock Valley 14.5 mi 7.1
Rock Valley Middle School Rock Valley 14.5 mi 5.5
Robert Bennis Elementary - 05 Brandon 14.7 mi 6.5
Inspiration Elementary - 08 Sioux Falls 13.4 mi 7.3
Brandon Valley Intermediate - 07 Brandon 14.8 mi 6.2
NETHERLANDS REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Valley 15.4 mi 4.4
Ben Reifel Middle School - 68 Sioux Falls 13.7 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,948

Median Home Value

$193,600

Median Rent

$1,167/mo

Population

1,842

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

86.6%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Lyon Elementary School has a median household income of $80,948. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,600, with a median rent of $1,167/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle, IA 6.9
Carver Elementary School Dubuque, IA 6.9
Liberty Elementary School Sioux City, IA 6.9
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo, IA 6.9
Prairie Crest Elementary Cedar Rapids, IA 6.9
Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter, IA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Lyon Elementary School

What grades does West Lyon Elementary School serve?

West Lyon Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend West Lyon Elementary School?

West Lyon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 554 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Lyon Elementary School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Lyon Elementary School rank in IA?

West Lyon Elementary School is ranked #463 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Lyon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lyon Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Lyon Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Lyon Elementary School has 81.9% math proficiency and 85.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Lyon Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is West Lyon Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

27.4% of students at West Lyon 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
Low (157/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
554
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lyon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Lyon Comm School District
District Enrollment
972
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,291
District Rank
#1 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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