Below Average
#1112 of 1,280 schools in IA
Willowbrook Elementary
Elementary School · Southeast Polk Comm School District
300 17th Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altoona
#4 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#572 of 662
In district
#10 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Willowbrook Elementary
Willowbrook Elementary in Altoona, Iowa, offers a welcoming learning environment for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 546 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school ensures that each child receives personalized attention. The dedicated faculty team consists of 38 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their young learners.
Willowbrook Elementary’s academic performance shows room for improvement, with state rankings placing it at #711 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (45th percentile). On MySchoolScout's rating scale, the school earns a score of 5.2/10 and an academic score of 5.5/10. In terms of proficiency rates, 68% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 71% meet this standard in Math.
Science scores show slightly lower proficiency at 52%. Located in a large suburban area, Willowbrook Elementary benefits from the supportive community atmosphere of Altoona. The school’s setting provides students with access to various resources and opportunities within a safe neighborhood.
Score Breakdown
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Willowbrook Elementary — Students at Willowbrook Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Willowbrook Elementary Compares
See how Willowbrook Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 71% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 68% (2022).
Location
300 17th Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willowbrook Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Altoona Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Centennial Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Anderson Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Altoona, see our Altoona schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 4.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant | 4.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill | 4.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,393
Median Home Value
$261,800
Median Rent
$1,201/mo
Population
21,992
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
70.3%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willowbrook Elementary has a median household income of $90,393. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,800, with a median rent of $1,201/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.8 |
| Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 4.8 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale, IA | 4.8 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willowbrook Elementary
What grades does Willowbrook Elementary serve?
Willowbrook Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Willowbrook Elementary?
Willowbrook Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willowbrook Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Willowbrook Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willowbrook Elementary rank in IA?
Willowbrook Elementary is ranked #1112 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Willowbrook Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Willowbrook Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Willowbrook Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willowbrook Elementary has 70.6% math proficiency and 68.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willowbrook Elementary a charter school?
No, Willowbrook Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willowbrook Elementary a Title I school?
No, Willowbrook Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willowbrook Elementary?
52.4% of students at Willowbrook 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,154/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Altoona). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 546
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 967-7512
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
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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