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Average

#885 of 1,280 schools in IA

Whittier Elementary School

Elementary School · Indianola Comm School District

1306 W Salem, Indianola, IA 50125

Enrollment

397

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#885 of 1,280

In Indianola

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 6

Indianola Comm School District

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Whittier Elementary School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Indianola · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Irving Elementary School

8.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wilder Elementary School

6.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Whittier Elementary School

Whittier Elementary School is a public elementary school in Indianola, IA, part of Indianola Comm School District. Whittier Elementary School serves approximately 397 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Whittier Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #885 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Whittier Elementary School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency76% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,822
Chronic Absenteeism17.4%

Whittier Elementary School — Students at Whittier Elementary School score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
73.1%
ELA
78%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Whittier Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in IA
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1306 W Salem, Indianola, IA 50125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittier Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orchard Hills Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Irving Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Martensdale Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Martensdale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Indianola, see our Indianola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Irving Elementary School Indianola 0.6 mi 8.3
Wilder Elementary School Indianola 0.7 mi 6.0
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola 1.1 mi 3.9
Emerson Elementary School Indianola 1.6 mi 6.9
Indianola High School Indianola 1.8 mi 5.3
Indianola Middle School Indianola 1.9 mi 6.3
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 9.0 mi 6.1
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 9.2 mi 5.8
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 9.3 mi 6.5
Southeast Warren Primary Milo 8.5 mi 7.3
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 9.6 mi
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 10.6 mi 3.1
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle 10.2 mi 6.0
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 9.7 mi
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 10.8 mi 4.9
Martensdale Elementary School Martensdale 8.3 mi 8.1
Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School Martensdale 8.3 mi 7.4
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 10.5 mi 6.8
Carlisle High School Carlisle 10.5 mi 4.8
Orchard Hills Elementary Norwalk 10.1 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,463

Median Home Value

$248,700

Median Rent

$975/mo

Population

20,009

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton, IA 5.5
Bluff Elementary School Clinton, IA 5.5
Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 5.5
Fillmore Elementary School Davenport, IA 5.5
ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City, IA 5.5
Pekin Elementary School Packwood, IA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittier Elementary School

What grades does Whittier Elementary School serve?

Whittier Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Whittier Elementary School?

Whittier Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittier Elementary School rank in IA?

Whittier Elementary School ranks #885 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Whittier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Whittier Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whittier Elementary School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Whittier Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Whittier Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

29.7% of students at Whittier 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Warren County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

District

Indianola Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,634
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,822
District Rank
#5 of 6

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