Alden Elementary School

Q: Is Alden Elementary School a good school?

Alden Elementary School ranks 182 nd of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Alden Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 159 students in grades PK-6 in the Alden Community School District in Alden, Iowa. The school consistently outperforms the state average on standardized tests, with 90% of 6th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts compared to the state average of 74.5%, and 88.9% of 3rd graders proficient or better in Mathematics compared to the state average of 76.3%.

Alden Elementary School stands out for its very low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 9 to 11.1 students per teacher over the past three years, significantly lower than nearby schools. The school also spends notably more per student, at $24,167 per student in 2018-2019, compared to nearby schools ranging from $11,715 to $19,567 per student. This suggests the school is investing heavily in its educational program and supporting student learning effectively.

Despite the school's strong academic performance, its statewide ranking has declined from 318 out of 565 Iowa elementary schools in 2014-2015 to 344 in 2022-2023. This may be due to factors beyond just test scores, such as changes in the school's overall environment or the performance of other schools in the state. Nonetheless, Alden Elementary School remains a high-performing school that is providing a quality education to its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

209 Center Street
Alden, IA 50006

(515) 859-3393

District: Alden Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
182^nd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $24,167

Student/teacher ratio: 11.4

Number of students: 159

Racial breakdown:

White:

83.0%

Hispanic:

10.7%

Two or more races:

5.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 35.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Alden Elementary School ranks better than 67.3% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.51. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (83%), Hispanic (10.7%), two or more races (5.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 35.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Alden Elementary School is 11.4. (See more...)

Compare Alden Elementary School employs 13.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Alden Elementary School is $24,167.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Alden Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Alden Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Alden Community School District 99^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Alden Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	37.71	476^th	626	24.0%
2013	39.92	460^th	624	26.3%
2014	45.83	409^th	603	32.2%
2015	56.53	318^th	616	48.4%
2016	38.94	444^th	599	25.9%
2017	47.38	367^th	574	36.1%
2018	38.12	408^th	567	28.0%
2019	49.25	341^st	603	43.4%
2021	44.84	348^th	567	38.6%
2022	44.24	364^th	574	36.6%
2023	47.89	344^th	565	39.1%
2024	67.51	182^nd	557	67.3%

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Alden Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2005	168	1	2	12	1	n/a	n/a	184
2006	169	1	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	175
2007	185	0	1	15	0	n/a	n/a	201
2008	204	3	0	15	0	n/a	n/a	222
2009	184	4	0	11	0	n/a	n/a	199
2010	211	2	1	14	1	0	5	234
2011	235	2	3	18	1	0	0	259
2012	257	2	1	17	2	1	6	286
2013	264	0	1	17	1	0	2	285
2014	257	0	0	21	0	0	5	283
2015	246	1	0	13	0	0	7	267
2016	235	2	0	23	0	0	12	272
2017	247	1	1	24	0	0	13	286
2018	246	4	0	23	0	0	8	281
2019	145	1	0	13	0	0	11	170
2020	156	0	0	8	0	0	9	173
2021	152	0	0	10	0	0	7	169
2022	152	3	0	17	0	0	7	179
2023	132	2	0	16	0	0	9	159
2024	132	1	0	17	0	0	9	159

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Alden Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	184	18.6	9.9	40.8
2006	175	18.6	9.4	36
2007	201	18.9	10.6	33.8
2008	222	23.5	9.4	34.7
2009	199	22.0	9.0	38.7
2010	234	23.2	10.0	37.2
2011	259	21.4	12.0	37.1
2012	286	21.1	13.5	37.4
2013	285	20.2	14.0	36.1
2014	283	19.4	14.5	37.8
2015	267	21.0	12.7	29.2
2016	272	21.0	12.9	34.6
2017	286	21.4	13.3	36.7
2018	281	20.8	13.4	35.6
2019	170	16.9	10.0	35.9
2020	173	18.0	9.5	33.5
2021	169	18.0	9.3	31.4
2022	179	16.0	11.1	36.3
2023	159	17.5	9.0	34
2024	159	13.8	11.4	35.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Alden Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	184	18.6	9.9	40.8
2006	175	18.6	9.4	36
2007	201	18.9	10.6	33.8
2008	222	23.5	9.4	34.7
2009	199	22.0	9.0	38.7
2010	234	23.2	10.0	37.2
2011	259	21.4	12.0	37.1
2012	286	21.1	13.5	37.4
2013	285	20.2	14.0	36.1
2014	283	19.4	14.5	37.8
2015	267	21.0	12.7	29.2
2016	272	21.0	12.9	34.6
2017	286	21.4	13.3	36.7
2018	281	20.8	13.4	35.6
2019	170	16.9	10.0	35.9
2020	173	18.0	9.5	33.5
2021	169	18.0	9.3	31.4
2022	179	16.0	11.1	36.3
2023	159	17.5	9.0	34
2024	159	13.8	11.4	35.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Alden Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$775 (3.2%)	$23,391 (96.8%)	$24,167

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Alden Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 341^st of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 344^th of 565 Elementary schools	4.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alden Elementary School)	78.9	70.6	8.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alden Community School District)	78.9	70.6	8.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Alden Elementary School)	84.2	76.5	7.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Alden Community School District)	84.2	76.5	7.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alden Elementary School)	67.9	65	2.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alden Community School District)	67.9	65	2.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Alden Elementary School)	64.3	65	0.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Alden Community School District)	64.3	65	0.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alden Elementary School)	72.2	60	12.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alden Community School District)	72.2	60	12.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Alden Elementary School)	55.6	80	24.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Alden Community School District)	55.6	80	24.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Alden Elementary School)	72.7	79.2	6.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Alden Community School District)	72.7	79.2	6.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Alden Elementary School)	54.5	66.7	12.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Alden Community School District)	54.5	66.7	12.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	69.9	0.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	170	159	6.5%
African American	1	2	100%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	13	16	23.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	145	132	9%
Two or More Races	11	9	18.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	35.9%	34%	1.9%

Schools Near Alden Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)				ISASP Mathematics (2024)				ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Alden Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	209 Center Street	Alden	50006	Hardin County	Alden Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 859-3393	159	14	11.4	35.2%	132 (83.0%)	1 (0.6%)	17 (10.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (5.7%)	67.5	182^nd of 557 public elementary schools	67.3%		47.9	344^th of 565 public elementary schools	39.1%	162	66.7	87.5	78.9	90.0	88.9	75.0	78.9	70.0	57.9	$24,167	$775	$23,391
Pineview Elementary	Public	PK, KG-1	1510 Washington Ave	Iowa Falls	50126	Hardin County	Iowa Falls Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 648-6410	278	17	16.8	36.3%	229 (82.4%)	1 (0.4%)	31 (11.2%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.8%)								(n/a)										$13,667	$677	$12,990
Rock Run Elementary	Public	2-5	710 North St	Iowa Falls	50126	Hardin County	Iowa Falls Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 648-6420	297	31	9.6	44.8%	255 (85.9%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (9.8%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.7%)	72.5	132^nd of 557 public elementary schools	76.3%		83.4	51^st of 565 public elementary schools	91.0%	81	72.6	80.3	72.6		84.9	87.3	80.6		67.7	$11,715	$370	$11,345
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	606 Illinois St	Blairsburg	50034	Hamilton County	Webster City Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 325-6234	223	16	14.2	54.7%	137 (61.4%)	2 (0.9%)	70 (31.4%)	9 (4.0%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.3%)	28.6	447^th of 557 public elementary schools	19.7%		40	399^th of 565 public elementary schools	29.4%	48	44.4	35.0	68.8	94.7	66.7	60.0	37.5	57.9	56.3
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	501 Isabella	Radcliffe	50230	Hardin County	Hubbard-Radcliffe Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 899-2111	193	13	14.6	30.6%	172 (89.1%)	1 (0.5%)	10 (5.2%)	2 (1.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.1%)	71	150^th of 557 public elementary schools	73.1%		74.2	122^nd of 565 public elementary schools	78.4%	28	67.7	83.3	88.9		83.9	88.9	77.8		59.3	$14,278	$482	$13,797
CAL Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1441 Gull Ave	Latimer	50452	Franklin County	CAL Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 579-6085	181	15	11.9	51.9%	96 (53.0%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (45.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.7%)	53.4	305^th of 557 public elementary schools	45.2%		29	442^nd of 565 public elementary schools	21.8%	137	75.0	90.0	59.1	85.7	79.2	60.0	72.7	78.6	45.5	$19,567	$939	$18,628
The Cougars Den	Public	PK-K	413 State St	Ackley	50601	Hardin County	AGWSR Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 847-2699	35	3	11.6	20.0%	30 (85.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (11.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.9%)								(n/a)
AGWSR Elementary School	Public	K-5	918 4th Ave	Ackley	50601	Hardin County	AGWSR Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 847-2611	204	16	12.8	42.2%	174 (85.3%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (11.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.9%)	43.6	372^nd of 557 public elementary schools	33.2%		65.6	195^th of 565 public elementary schools	65.5%	177	54.8	61.1	72.5		64.3	61.1	80.0		67.5	$14,712	$626	$14,087
South Side Elementary School	Public	1-4	507 4th Ave SE	Hampton	50441	Franklin County	Hampton-Dumont Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 456-2261	297	21	13.8	59.6%	170 (57.2%)	4 (1.3%)	117 (39.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.7%)	45.3	361^st of 557 public elementary schools	35.2%		47.2	350^th of 565 public elementary schools	38.1%	11	60.3	67.9			76.2	71.6				$14,304	$1,011	$13,294
Eldora-New Providence Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1100 10th St	Eldora	50627	Hardin County	Eldora-New Providence Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 939-9350	248	23	10.9	48.8%	219 (88.3%)	3 (1.2%)	18 (7.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.8%)	63.9	211^th of 557 public elementary schools	62.1%		51.3	318^th of 565 public elementary schools	43.7%	107	75.0	70.0	69.7		87.5	80.0	84.8		57.6	$14,520	$1,122	$13,398

Frequently Asked Questions about Alden Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Alden Elementary School?

Students at Alden Elementary School are 83% White, 11% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

Is Alden Elementary School a good school?

Alden Elementary School ranks 182^nd of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Alden Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 159 students attended Alden Elementary School.

What district is Alden Elementary School in?

Alden Community School District

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.