Below Average
#1122 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Indianola
#6 of 6
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#578 of 662
In district
#6 of 6
Indianola Comm School District
About Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School in Indianola, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 397 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, Whittier offers personalized attention to ensure each child's educational needs are met. The school has 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Whittier Elementary School’s academic performance reflects areas for growth. According to the MySchoolScout rating and state rankings, it sits in the 33rd percentile among Iowa schools, with an overall score of 6.3 out of 10. In specific subjects, 73% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 77% in Math, and 57% in Science.
While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school remains committed to enhancing its curriculum and resources. Whittier Elementary is situated on the fringe of an urban area, offering a blend of suburban tranquility and access to city amenities. The community around Whittier values education and works closely with the school to support students’ development both academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Whittier Elementary School — Students at Whittier Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
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: 4.5/10.
How Whittier Elementary School Compares
See how Whittier Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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. Southeast Warren Primary (rated 8.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Milo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Irving Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orchard Hills Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), 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 | 7.7 |
| Wilder Elementary School Indianola | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Emerson Elementary School Indianola | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Indianola High School Indianola | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Indianola Middle School Indianola | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Norwalk Middle School Norwalk | 9.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk | 9.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk | 9.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Southeast Warren Primary Milo | 8.5 mi | 8.1 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk | 9.6 mi | — |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 10.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Carlisle Middle School Carlisle | 10.2 mi | 6.5 |
| NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk | 9.7 mi | — |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 10.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Martensdale Elementary School Martensdale | 8.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School Martensdale | 8.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle | 10.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Carlisle High School Carlisle | 10.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Orchard Hills Elementary Norwalk | 10.1 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whittier Elementary School has a median household income of $86,463. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $975/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Farley Elementary School Farley, IA | 4.7 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Nodland Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.7 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.7 |
| ST COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL Dubuque, IA | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #1122 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Whittier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whittier Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Whittier Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elementary School has 76.7% math proficiency and 73.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,751/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Indianola). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 961-9570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Indianola Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,634
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,822
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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