West Elementary School

Q: Is West Elementary School a good school?

West Elementary School ranks 285 th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

West Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Independence, Iowa, serving grades 3-6 with a total enrollment of 381 students. It is part of the Independence Community School District, which is ranked 193 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

West Elementary School generally performs better than the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores for English Language Arts and Mathematics. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 4th grade ELA proficiency rate was 76.3%, compared to the state average of 72.9%. Similarly, the school's 5th grade Math proficiency rate was 84.4%, compared to the state average of 70.7%. However, the school's statewide ranking has declined from 136th out of 616 Iowa elementary schools in 2014-2015 to 285th out of 557 in 2023-2024, suggesting it may be struggling to keep pace with improvements in other schools across the state.

When compared to the nearby East Elementary School (also in the Independence Community School District), West Elementary School has a slightly higher percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients and a lower student-teacher ratio. The rural elementary schools in the Wapsie Valley Community School District, such as Fairbank Elementary, have significantly lower enrollments and lower spending per student compared to West Elementary School.

Detail:

Public 3-6

1301 1st St W
Independence, IA 50644

(319) 334-7430

District: Independence Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
285^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,958

Students who attend West Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Independence Junior Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 10.8

Number of students: 371

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.5%

Hispanic:

5.1%

Two or more races:

4.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 43.7%

See top rated Iowa elementary schools

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Performance Trends

Compare Details West Elementary School ranks worse than 51.2% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.25. (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 West Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Independence Community School District. Racial makeup is: White (89.5%), Hispanic (5.1%), two or more races (4.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 43.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Elementary School is 10.8, which is the lowest among 3 elementary schools in the Independence Community School District! (See more...)

Compare West Elementary School employs 34 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Elementary School is $12,958. 1 elementary schools in the Independence Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Independence Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Independence Community School District 193^rd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for West Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	67.74	176^th	626	71.9%
2013	72.78	118^th	624	81.1%
2014	68.99	179^th	603	70.3%
2015	74.21	136^th	616	77.9%
2016	72.83	140^th	599	76.6%
2017	71.28	157^th	574	72.6%
2018	69.11	171^st	567	69.8%
2019	59.99	262^nd	603	56.6%
2021	62.73	214^th	567	62.3%
2022	55.33	288^th	574	49.8%
2023	54.35	290^th	565	48.7%
2024	56.25	285^th	557	48.8%

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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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for West Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	335	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	336
1989	338	1	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	342
1990	310	0	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	312
1991	320	2	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	325
1992	312	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	313
1993	324	2	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	330
1994	338	1	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	340
1995	308	2	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	313
1996	308	2	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	313
1997	304	1	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	310
1998	301	0	5	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	308
1999	313	2	5	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	325
2000	339	2	3	5	1	n/a	n/a	-43	307
2001	307	1	3	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	316
2002	265	2	5	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	275
2003	265	2	5	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	275
2004	254	3	3	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	263
2005	234	3	5	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	245
2006	224	1	7	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	235
2007	251	1	10	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	267
2008	252	0	8	6	2	n/a	n/a	0	268
2009	263	0	4	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	275
2010	286	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	286
2011	386	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	392
2012	368	7	1	7	0	0	4	0	387
2013	371	4	2	5	0	0	3	0	385
2014	375	2	2	8	0	1	2	0	390
2015	364	3	1	6	1	1	4	0	380
2016	380	2	1	5	1	1	2	0	392
2017	384	1	0	14	0	0	5	0	404
2018	386	3	0	11	0	1	6	0	407
2019	376	2	1	8	0	0	7	0	394
2020	375	1	1	12	2	0	7	0	398
2021	359	1	1	9	2	0	10	0	382
2022	345	3	1	12	0	2	19	0	382
2023	342	3	0	17	0	1	18	0	381
2024	332	3	0	19	0	1	16	0	371

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 West Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	336	18.1	18.5	28.6
1989	342	19.1	17.9	19.9
1990	312	18.6	16.7	18.6
1991	325	19.6	16.5	18.5
1992	313	21.0	14.9	20.8
1993	330	22.3	14.8	24.2
1994	340	22.4	15.2	23.2
1995	313	22.2	14.1	22
1996	313	22.2	14.1	22
1997	310	21.7	14.3	25.5
1998	308	21.3	14.5	26.3
1999	325	22.0	14.8	33.8
2000	307	22.6	13.6	29.4
2001	316	21.7	14.6	32
2002	275	20.6	13.3	32.7
2003	275	20.6	13.3	32.7
2004	263	17.0	15.5	38.4
2005	245	16.0	15.3	36.3
2006	235	19.7	11.9	34.5
2007	267	12.9	20.7	33.3
2008	268	22.2	12.1	36.9
2009	275	23.2	11.9	34.9
2010	286	22.6	12.6	42
2011	392	29.0	13.5	40.1
2012	387	27.4	14.1	44.2
2013	385	28.1	13.6	35.1
2014	390	29.0	13.4	30.5
2015	380	30.0	12.6	32.6
2016	392	29.0	13.5	30.9
2017	404	29.8	13.5	38.1
2018	407	30.9	13.1	40.3
2019	394	29.9	13.1	41.9
2020	398	28.9	13.7	43.7
2021	382	28.9	13.2	46.9
2022	382	28.9	13.1	38
2023	381	34.2	11.1	40.2
2024	371	34.0	10.8	43.7

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 West Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	336	18.1	18.5	28.6
1989	342	19.1	17.9	19.9
1990	312	18.6	16.7	18.6
1991	325	19.6	16.5	18.5
1992	313	21.0	14.9	20.8
1993	330	22.3	14.8	24.2
1994	340	22.4	15.2	23.2
1995	313	22.2	14.1	22
1996	313	22.2	14.1	22
1997	310	21.7	14.3	25.5
1998	308	21.3	14.5	26.3
1999	325	22.0	14.8	33.8
2000	307	22.6	13.6	29.4
2001	316	21.7	14.6	32
2002	275	20.6	13.3	32.7
2003	275	20.6	13.3	32.7
2004	263	17.0	15.5	38.4
2005	245	16.0	15.3	36.3
2006	235	19.7	11.9	34.5
2007	267	12.9	20.7	33.3
2008	268	22.2	12.1	36.9
2009	275	23.2	11.9	34.9
2010	286	22.6	12.6	42
2011	392	29.0	13.5	40.1
2012	387	27.4	14.1	44.2
2013	385	28.1	13.6	35.1
2014	390	29.0	13.4	30.5
2015	380	30.0	12.6	32.6
2016	392	29.0	13.5	30.9
2017	404	29.8	13.5	38.1
2018	407	30.9	13.1	40.3
2019	394	29.9	13.1	41.9
2020	398	28.9	13.7	43.7
2021	382	28.9	13.2	46.9
2022	382	28.9	13.1	38
2023	381	34.2	11.1	40.2
2024	371	34.0	10.8	43.7

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 West Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$330 (2.5%)	$12,628 (97.5%)	$12,958

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West 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 262^nd of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 290^th of 565 Elementary schools	7.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)	64.6	60	4.6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)	64.6	60	4.6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)	72	71.3	0.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)	72	71.3	0.7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)	75.9	70.8	5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)	75.9	70.8	5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)	77.8	77.5	0.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)	77.8	77.5	0.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)	67.7	69.5	1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)	67.7	69.5	1.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)	67.7	73.7	6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)	67.7	73.7	6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)	73.8	79.6	5.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)	73.8	79.6	5.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)	86.4	79.6	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)	86.4	79.6	6.8%
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	394	381	3.3%
African American	2	3	50%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	8	17	112.5%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	376	342	9%
Two or More Races	7	18	157.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	41.9%	40.2%	1.7%

Schools Near West 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
West Elementary School	Public	3-6	1301 1st St W	Independence	50644	Buchanan County	Independence Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 334-7430	371	34	10.8	43.7%	332 (89.5%)	3 (0.8%)	19 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.3%)	56.2	285^th of 557 public elementary schools	48.8%		54.4	290^th of 565 public elementary schools	48.7%	5	58.3	76.3	70.0	78.7	68.0	78.9	84.4	77.7	63.3	$12,958	$330	$12,628
Early Childhood Center	Public	PK	1011 1st St W	Independence	50644	Buchanan County	Independence Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 334-4780	39	2	20.5	20.5%	35 (89.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (7.7%)								(n/a)
East Elementary School	Public	K-2	1103 First Street West	Independence	50644	Buchanan County	Independence Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 334-7425	281	22	12.6	45.6%	253 (90.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (6.0%)								(n/a)										$13,327	$339	$12,988
Perry #1 Elementary School	Public	K-8	1726 Fairbank Amish Blvd	Independence	50644	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 827-1700	27	2	13.7	11.1%	27 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)										$7,564	$118	$7,446
Jesup Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	531 Prospect	Jesup	50648	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 827-1700	430	24	17.5	28.1%	411 (95.6%)	10 (2.3%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	63.9	210^th of 557 public elementary schools	62.3%		72.8	137^th of 565 public elementary schools	75.8%	73	67.8	77.4			89.8	71.0				$12,637	$311	$12,326
Prairie Grove Elementary School	Public	K-8	1501 150th St	Hazleton	50641	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 827-1700	22	2	11.0	13.6%	22 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)										$8,123	$118	$8,005
East Buchanan Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	414 5th St North	Winthrop	50682	Buchanan County	East Buchanan Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 935-3660	316	22	14.4	25.9%	304 (96.2%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)	62.4	227^th of 557 public elementary schools	59.2%		60.5	242^nd of 565 public elementary schools	57.2%	15	71.1	70.6	70.6	75.0	82.6	85.3	82.4	84.1	52.9	$12,938	$606	$12,332
Triumph Elementary School	Public	K-8	1348 145th St	Fairbank	50629	Buchanan County	Jesup Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(319) 827-1700	39	2	19.6	7.7%	39 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)										$7,346	$118	$7,228
Rural Elementary School #2	Public	K-8	1198 Fairbank Amish Blvd	Fairbank	50629	Buchanan County	Wapsie Valley Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 635-2071	28	2	15.5	10.7%	28 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)										$8,228	$108	$8,121
Rural Elementary School #1	Public	K-8	1099 Amish Blvd	Fairbank	50629	Buchanan County	Wapsie Valley Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(319) 635-2071	27	2	13.3	11.1%	27 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)										$9,040	$108	$8,933

Frequently Asked Questions about West Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of West Elementary School?

Students at West Elementary School are 89% White, 5% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of West Elementary School attend?

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

High : Independence Junior Senior High School

How many students attend West Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 371 students attended West Elementary School.

Is West Elementary School a good school?

West Elementary School ranks 285^th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is West Elementary School in?

Independence 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.