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Below Average

#1010 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

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,010 of 1,280

In Altoona

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#11 of 11

Southeast Polk Comm School District

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Willowbrook Elementary

4.9/10

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

Altoona Elementary

8.4/10

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

Centennial Elementary

8.1/10

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

About Willowbrook Elementary

Willowbrook Elementary is a public elementary school in Altoona, IA, part of Southeast Polk Comm School District. Willowbrook Elementary serves approximately 546 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Willowbrook Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,010 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Willowbrook Elementary show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.6
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.6% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,583
Chronic Absenteeism16.3%

Willowbrook Elementary — Students at Willowbrook Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 75.3% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
84%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
79%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
67.3%
ELA
68.6%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Willowbrook Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
21th percentile in IA
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

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

300 17th Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willowbrook Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Delaware Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altoona Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Centennial Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), 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 8.4
Centennial Elementary Altoona 1.5 mi 8.1
Clay Elementary Altoona 2.1 mi 5.4
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 2.0 mi 8.9
Morris Elementary Bondurant 3.3 mi 6.8
Anderson Elementary School Bondurant 3.5 mi 6.0
Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant 3.5 mi 6.8
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 3.2 mi 4.6
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 3.2 mi 3.6
Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill 4.1 mi 5.2
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 3.7 mi 2.6
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill 4.1 mi 6.4
Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant 4.5 mi 5.1
Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill 4.2 mi 6.6
Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant 4.6 mi 5.9
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 4.8 mi 7.5
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 4.6 mi 4.3
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 3.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee, IA 4.9
Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk, IA 4.9
Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 4.9
Hoover Elementary School Mason City, IA 4.9
McKinley Elementary School Davenport, IA 4.9
Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 4.9

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 ranks #1,010 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Willowbrook Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Willowbrook Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Willowbrook Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willowbrook Elementary has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

District

Southeast Polk Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,424
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,583
District Rank
#11 of 11

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