Duncombe Elementary School

Summary:

Duncombe Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades 1-5 in the Fort Dodge Community School District in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The school has seen a decline in its student racial makeup over the past few years, with the percentage of white students decreasing. Duncombe Elementary also has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting significant socioeconomic challenges for the student population.

Academically, Duncombe Elementary School consistently underperforms compared to the state and district averages in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the bottom 10-15% of schools statewide. Additionally, Duncombe Elementary has a relatively high student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools like Cooper Elementary and Feelhaver Elementary.

Despite the school's current challenges, the data suggests that there may be opportunities for Duncombe Elementary School to improve its performance and outcomes. By addressing the specific needs of its diverse student population and implementing effective teaching and learning strategies, the school could potentially make significant progress in the future.

Detail:

Public 1-5

1620 6th Avenue North
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

(515) 574-5623

District: Fort Dodge Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
529^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,271

Students who attend Duncombe Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Fort Dodge Middle School
High:	Fort Dodge High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 454

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.2%

Hispanic:

25.3%

Two or more races:

14.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 70.3%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Duncombe Elementary School ranks worse than 95% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks last among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Fort Dodge Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.74. (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 Duncombe Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Fort Dodge Community School District. Student population at Duncombe Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (50.2%), Hispanic (25.3%), two or more races (14.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 70.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Fort Dodge Community School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Duncombe Elementary School is 14.8. 3 elementary schools in the Fort Dodge Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Duncombe Elementary School employs 30.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Duncombe Elementary School is $15,271. 3 elementary schools in the Fort Dodge Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Fort Dodge Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Dodge Community School District 300^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Duncombe Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	21.92	557^th	626	11.0%
2013	18.88	560^th	624	10.3%
2014	7.80	567^th	603	6.0%
2015	1.59	609^th	616	1.1%
2016	10.39	553^rd	599	7.7%
2017	15.18	505^th	574	12.0%
2018	14.32	504^th	567	11.1%
2019	14.25	549^th	603	9.0%
2021	15.81	503^rd	567	11.3%
2022	9.76	530^th	574	7.7%
2023	14.57	507^th	565	10.3%
2024	6.74	529^th	557	5.0%

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 Duncombe Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	427	18	3	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	453
1989	449	18	4	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	475
1990	458	24	6	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	490
1991	385	23	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	416
1992	354	23	7	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	388
1993	373	20	4	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	402
1994	367	27	5	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	405
1995	370	23	7	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	405
1996	370	23	7	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	405
1997	334	27	6	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	372
1998	323	34	3	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	363
1999	309	28	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	343
2000	327	27	7	5	0	n/a	n/a	-28	338
2001	288	33	9	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	336
2002	308	30	4	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	352
2003	308	30	4	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	352
2004	266	28	1	18	2	n/a	n/a	0	315
2005	231	40	5	19	5	n/a	n/a	0	300
2006	222	40	8	36	5	n/a	n/a	0	311
2007	220	49	9	31	5	n/a	n/a	0	314
2008	231	42	6	30	2	n/a	n/a	0	311
2009	208	44	6	37	2	n/a	n/a	0	297
2010	204	27	4	40	1	0	20	0	296
2011	173	28	2	41	1	0	19	0	264
2012	194	28	0	50	1	0	21	0	294
2013	222	29	1	63	0	0	21	0	336
2014	226	29	1	80	1	0	20	0	357
2015	198	26	0	78	0	0	18	0	320
2016	210	20	1	78	3	0	22	0	334
2017	208	25	2	87	3	0	28	0	353
2018	232	34	2	97	2	0	29	0	396
2019	246	45	4	99	3	0	35	0	432
2020	276	49	3	100	3	0	41	0	472
2021	267	41	2	87	3	0	44	0	444
2022	264	46	3	107	0	6	50	0	476
2023	231	45	3	105	3	4	70	0	461
2024	228	37	3	115	1	6	64	0	454

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 Duncombe Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	453	23.7	19.1	24.7
1989	475	23.2	20.4	21.5
1990	490	23.7	20.6	20.8
1991	416	22.7	18.3	29.6
1992	388	25.0	15.5	28.4
1993	402	17.0	23.6	30.1
1994	405	17.6	23.0	35.8
1995	405	18.2	22.3	24
1996	405	18.2	22.3	24
1997	372	24.4	15.2	33.1
1998	363	20.1	18.1	25.3
1999	343	26.4	13.0	36.4
2000	338	19.0	17.8	33.9
2001	336	20.0	16.8	37.8
2002	352	25.1	14.0	42
2003	352	25.1	14.0	42
2004	315	23.4	13.5	56.8
2005	300	22.7	13.2	54.7
2006	311	26.2	11.9	54.3
2007	314	25.7	12.2	55.7
2008	311	51.3	6.1	55.6
2009	297	28.3	10.5	58.2
2010	296	26.2	11.2	61.5
2011	264	24.0	11.0	64.4
2012	294	21.6	13.5	67
2013	336	25.2	13.3	70.8
2014	357	25.0	14.2	73.1
2015	320	25.0	12.8	75.6
2016	334	26.0	12.8	72.2
2017	353	26.6	13.2	75.9
2018	396	27.9	14.1	74.7
2019	432	33.7	12.8	78.5
2020	472	33.7	13.9	74.8
2021	444	33.9	13.0	70.5
2022	476	34.3	13.8	73.7
2023	461	32.3	14.2	79
2024	454	30.5	14.8	70.3

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 Duncombe Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	453	23.7	19.1	24.7
1989	475	23.2	20.4	21.5
1990	490	23.7	20.6	20.8
1991	416	22.7	18.3	29.6
1992	388	25.0	15.5	28.4
1993	402	17.0	23.6	30.1
1994	405	17.6	23.0	35.8
1995	405	18.2	22.3	24
1996	405	18.2	22.3	24
1997	372	24.4	15.2	33.1
1998	363	20.1	18.1	25.3
1999	343	26.4	13.0	36.4
2000	338	19.0	17.8	33.9
2001	336	20.0	16.8	37.8
2002	352	25.1	14.0	42
2003	352	25.1	14.0	42
2004	315	23.4	13.5	56.8
2005	300	22.7	13.2	54.7
2006	311	26.2	11.9	54.3
2007	314	25.7	12.2	55.7
2008	311	51.3	6.1	55.6
2009	297	28.3	10.5	58.2
2010	296	26.2	11.2	61.5
2011	264	24.0	11.0	64.4
2012	294	21.6	13.5	67
2013	336	25.2	13.3	70.8
2014	357	25.0	14.2	73.1
2015	320	25.0	12.8	75.6
2016	334	26.0	12.8	72.2
2017	353	26.6	13.2	75.9
2018	396	27.9	14.1	74.7
2019	432	33.7	12.8	78.5
2020	472	33.7	13.9	74.8
2021	444	33.9	13.0	70.5
2022	476	34.3	13.8	73.7
2023	461	32.3	14.2	79
2024	454	30.5	14.8	70.3

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 Duncombe Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,808 (11.8%)	$13,463 (88.2%)	$15,271

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Duncombe 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 549^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 507^th of 565 Elementary schools	1.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Duncombe Elementary School)	44.9	51.3	6.4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fort Dodge Community School District)	55.3	44.8	10.5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Duncombe Elementary School)	47.4	52.6	5.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Fort Dodge Community School District)	54.5	54.4	0.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Duncombe Elementary School)	64.4	63.6	0.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Fort Dodge Community School District)	62.8	61.8	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Duncombe Elementary School)	50.7	54.5	3.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Fort Dodge Community School District)	53.4	52.4	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	432	461	6.7%
African American	45	45
American Indian	3	3
Asian	4	3	25%
Hispanic	99	105	6.1%
Pacific Islander	0	4
White	246	231	6.1%
Two or More Races	35	70	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	78.5%	79%	0.5%

Schools Near Duncombe 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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Duncombe Elementary School	Public	1-5	1620 6th Avenue North	Fort Dodge	50501	Webster County	Fort Dodge Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 574-5623	454	31	14.8	70.3%	228 (50.2%)	37 (8.1%)	115 (25.3%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.3%)	64 (14.1%)	6.7	529^th of 557 public elementary schools	5.0%		14.6	507^th of 565 public elementary schools	10.3%	22	39.2	57.3	49.4	43.3	49.3	43.7	28.7	$15,271	$1,808	$13,463
Early Childhood Center	Public	PK-K	104 So. 17th St.	Fort Dodge	50501	Webster County	Fort Dodge Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 574-5740	382	26	14.7	44.8%	262 (68.6%)	22 (5.8%)	51 (13.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	44 (11.5%)								(n/a)
Cooper Elementary School	Public	1-5	2420 14th Avenue North	Fort Dodge	50501	Webster County	Fort Dodge Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 574-5602	238	18	13.1	46.2%	178 (74.8%)	14 (5.9%)	22 (9.2%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.7%)	14.4	491^st of 557 public elementary schools	11.8%		23.4	469^th of 565 public elementary schools	17.0%	22	35.4	51.2	64.6	60.4	53.5	51.1	38.3	$18,249	$1,339	$16,910
Feelhaver Elementary School	Public	1-5	1300 14th Ave N	Fort Dodge	50501	Webster County	Fort Dodge Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 574-5680	221	12	17.8	36.2%	175 (79.2%)	9 (4.1%)	18 (8.1%)	2 (0.9%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (7.2%)	45.3	362^nd of 557 public elementary schools	35.0%		34.7	430^th of 565 public elementary schools	23.9%	68	48.6	70.5	79.5	62.9	68.2	72.7	59.1	$15,454	$1,136	$14,318
Butler Elementary School	Public	1-5	945 South 18th Street	Fort Dodge	50501	Webster County	Fort Dodge Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 574-5882	344	27	12.8	69.2%	218 (63.4%)	32 (9.3%)	53 (15.4%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	36 (10.5%)	7.3	525^th of 557 public elementary schools	5.7%		5.7	540^th of 565 public elementary schools	4.4%	15	40.0	47.7	48.7	55.4	36.9	51.3	35.9	$15,434	$1,605	$13,830
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	303 Pierce Street	Barnum	50518	Webster County	Manson Northwest Webster Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 542-3211	440	27	16.1	34.8%	405 (92.0%)	3 (0.7%)	11 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.5%)								(n/a)								$12,033	$373	$11,659
Clyde D Mease Elementary School	Public	PK-K	23 3rd St No	Dakota City	50529	Humboldt County	Humboldt Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 332-3578	142	7	21.1	37.3%	122 (85.9%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (9.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.5%)								(n/a)								$13,645	$431	$13,214
Taft Elementary School	Public	1-4	612 2nd Ave North	Humboldt	50548	Humboldt County	Humboldt Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 332-3216	415	35	11.9	38.6%	348 (83.9%)	5 (1.2%)	49 (11.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.1%)	79.1	77^th of 557 public elementary schools	86.2%		89.5	14^th of 565 public elementary schools	97.5%	63	72.3	87.2		84.2	88.8			$12,984	$826	$12,158
Eagle Grove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	425 North Fort	Eagle Grove	50533	Wright County	Eagle Grove Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 448-3126	443	37	12.0	55.3%	230 (51.9%)	7 (1.6%)	187 (42.2%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.4%)	10 (2.3%)	33.4	425^th of 557 public elementary schools	23.7%		16.5	499^th of 565 public elementary schools	11.7%	74	56.3	60.3		81.3	51.7			$12,163	$848	$11,316
Southeast Valley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	3116 Zearing Ave	Farnhamville	50538	Calhoun County	Southeast Valley Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(515) 370-2861	238	17	13.6	44.5%	217 (91.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.9%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Duncombe Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Duncombe Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Duncombe Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Fort Dodge Middle School
High : Fort Dodge High School

What district is Duncombe Elementary School in?

Fort Dodge Community School District

How many students attend Duncombe Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 454 students attended Duncombe Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Duncombe Elementary School?

Students at Duncombe Elementary School are 50% White, 25% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 8% African American, 1% Pacific Islander.

Is Duncombe Elementary School a good school?

Duncombe Elementary School ranks in the bottom 5.0% of Iowa elementary schools.

Rate Duncombe Elementary School!

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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.