Very Good
#435 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 34% in state
West Monona Elementary
Elementary School · West Monona Comm School District
611 4th Street, Onawa, IA 51040
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Onawa
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#270 of 662
In district
#3 of 3
West Monona Comm School District
Equity
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About West Monona Elementary
West Monona Elementary is a regular public school in the remote rural setting of Onawa, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, West Monona has an enrollment of 342 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.9 out of 10, placing it in the 58th percentile among Iowa schools based on its state ranking of #543 out of 1288.
Academically, West Monona Elementary shows strong performance in English Language Arts and Reading, with 72% of students meeting proficiency standards. Math scores stand at 63%, indicating room for improvement, while science results are encouraging with 67% of students demonstrating proficiency or better. West Monona Elementary is deeply embedded within the rural community of Onawa, offering a close-knit environment where teachers and families work closely together to support student development.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Monona Elementary 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
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West Monona Elementary — Students at West Monona Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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 Monona Elementary Compares
See how West Monona Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
611 4th Street, Onawa, IA 51040
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Monona Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mapleton Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Mapleton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anthon Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Anthon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Westwood Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Sloan), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Onawa, see our Onawa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Monona Middle School Onawa | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| West Monona High School Onawa | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Whiting Elementary School Whiting | 7.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Whiting Senior High School Whiting | 7.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Westwood Elementary School Sloan | 15.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Westwood High School Sloan | 15.3 mi | 5.5 |
| UMO N HO N NATION ELEM SCHOOL Macy | 14.8 mi | 6.7 |
| UMO N HO N NATION HIGH SCHOOL Macy | 14.8 mi | 6.5 |
| UMO N HO N NATION MIDDLE SCH Macy | 14.8 mi | 5.9 |
| ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT TEKAMAH Tekamah | 18.7 mi | 6.9 |
| HIGH SCHOOL AT TEKAMAH Tekamah | 18.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School Mapleton | 17.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Mapleton Elementary School Mapleton | 17.8 mi | 9.2 |
| West Harrison Elementary Mondamin | 22.5 mi | 7.6 |
| West Harrison Middle School/High School Mondamin | 22.5 mi | 7.2 |
| NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY AT LYONS Lyons | 20.8 mi | 7.0 |
| NORTHEAST SECONDARY SCHOOL Lyons | 20.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Bronson Elementary School Bronson | 27.0 mi | 7.1 |
| MVAO Middle School Anthon | 26.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Anthon Elementary Anthon | 26.9 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,642
Median Home Value
$140,400
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
3,388
College Educated
17.6%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Monona Elementary has a median household income of $60,642. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,400, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Elementary Iowa City, IA | 7.0 |
| Hoover Elementary School Mason City, IA | 7.0 |
| Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum, IA | 7.0 |
| Odebolt Elementary-Ida Grove Ida Grove, IA | 7.0 |
| Prairie City Elementary School Prairie City, IA | 7.0 |
| Wilkins Elementary School Marion, IA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Monona Elementary
What grades does West Monona Elementary serve?
West Monona Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West Monona Elementary?
West Monona Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Monona Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at West Monona Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Monona Elementary rank in IA?
West Monona Elementary is ranked #435 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is West Monona Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
West Monona Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Monona Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Monona Elementary has 62.8% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Monona Elementary a charter school?
No, West Monona Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Monona Elementary a Title I school?
No, West Monona Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Monona Elementary?
46.8% of students at West Monona Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 342
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Monona County
- Phone
- (712) 433-1393
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Monona Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 645
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,885
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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