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#986 of 1,280 schools in IA

Wilson Elementary School

Elementary School · Ottumwa Comm School District

1102 E. 4th St., Ottumwa, IA 52501

Enrollment

343

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ottumwa

#3 of 10

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#518 of 662

In district

#3 of 10

Ottumwa Comm School District

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Wilson Elementary School

Wilson Elementary School in Ottumwa, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school that serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 343 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, Wilson Elementary provides a relatively small class size compared to many other schools, which can be beneficial for personalized learning experiences. The school has 29 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse range of learners.

Wilson Elementary's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.1 out of 10 and ranks at the 22nd percentile among Iowa’s public elementary schools. In terms of academic performance, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 51% meet proficiency standards in Math. However, only 19% of students achieve proficiency in Science, indicating areas where the school could focus more attention and resources.

While Wilson Elementary has room for growth academically, it is situated in a remote town setting that provides its own unique community atmosphere. Parents seeking a close-knit neighborhood with strong family involvement may find this environment particularly appealing.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,193

Wilson Elementary School — Students at Wilson Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.5%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 50.2%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
49.1%
ELA
53.3%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Wilson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
23th percentile in IA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

1102 E. 4th St., Ottumwa, IA 52501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fremont Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Fremont), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Davis County Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Bloomfield), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ottumwa, see our Ottumwa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ottumwa High School Ottumwa 0.3 mi 4.3
SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa 0.6 mi 7.9
Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa 0.8 mi 3.4
Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa 1.5 mi 5.1
Gateway High School Ottumwa 1.4 mi
James Elementary School Ottumwa 1.6 mi 3.9
Douma Elementary School Ottumwa 1.9 mi 5.9
Evans Middle School Ottumwa 2.0 mi 4.4
OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa 2.3 mi 7.1
Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa 2.5 mi 2.8
Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa 3.0 mi 5.9
Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa 2.5 mi 2.9
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 9.1 mi 5.0
Cardinal High School Eldon 9.2 mi 6.8
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 9.2 mi 6.8
Fremont Elementary Fremont 13.8 mi 7.4
Blakesburg Elementary Blakesburg 13.0 mi 5.9
Davis County Elementary Bloomfield 17.9 mi 6.0
Davis County Middle School Bloomfield 17.9 mi 4.6
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville 15.1 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,091

Median Home Value

$109,600

Median Rent

$955/mo

Population

30,341

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

65.5%

Avg Commute

18.6 min

Poverty Rate

17.6%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wilson Elementary School has a median household income of $59,091. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $955/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge, IA 5.4
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary Cedar Falls, IA 5.4
Cascade Elementary School Cascade, IA 5.4
Moore Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.4
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas, IA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilson Elementary School

What grades does Wilson Elementary School serve?

Wilson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Wilson Elementary School?

Wilson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Wilson Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilson Elementary School rank in IA?

Wilson Elementary School is ranked #986 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Wilson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Wilson Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilson Elementary School has 50.5% math proficiency and 50.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wilson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Wilson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

70.8% of students at Wilson 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

City Safety
High (3,030/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ottumwa). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Wapello County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ottumwa Comm School District
District Enrollment
5,011
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,391
District Rank
#3 of 10

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 methodology

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