Melcher-Dallas Elementary

Q: Is Melcher-Dallas Elementary a good school?

Melcher-Dallas Elementary ranks 390 th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Melcher-Dallas Elementary is a public elementary school serving 177 students in grades PK-6 in the Melcher-Dallas Community School District in Dallas, Iowa. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools, with a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating below-average performance compared to other schools in the state.

Melcher-Dallas Elementary's academic proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are generally lower than the state averages and the performance of nearby schools like Irving Elementary and Pleasantville Elementary. For example, the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 37.5%, compared to the state average of 64.2%. Similarly, the 5th-grade Science proficiency rate was 40%, compared to the state average of 59.6%.

While Melcher-Dallas Elementary has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 30.39% to 37.43% in recent years, this is lower than some nearby schools like Northstar Elementary (55.43%) and Columbus Elementary (58.1%). The school's student-teacher ratio of 15.3 is similar to its peers, suggesting that staffing levels are not a significant factor in its underperformance.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

1003 E Park St
Dallas, IA 50062

(641) 947-3151

District: Melcher-Dallas Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
390^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,236

Students who attend Melcher-Dallas Elementary usually attend:

High:

Melcher-Dallas High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.0

Number of students: 156

Racial breakdown:

White:

98.1%

Two or more races:

1.3%

African American:

0.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 30.1%

See top rated Iowa elementary schools

Compare Melcher-Dallas Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Melcher-Dallas Elementary ranks worse than 70% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.23. (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 (98.1%), two or more races (1.3%), African American (0.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 30.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Melcher-Dallas Elementary is 15. (See more...)

Compare Melcher-Dallas Elementary employs 10.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Melcher-Dallas Elementary is $11,236.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Melcher-Dallas Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Melcher-Dallas Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Melcher-Dallas Community School District 268^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Melcher-Dallas Elementary

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	61.73	253^rd	626	59.6%
2013	63.51	235^th	624	62.3%
2014	60.07	283^rd	603	53.1%
2015	66.01	230^th	616	62.7%
2016	66.46	218^th	599	63.6%
2017	36.97	430^th	574	25.1%
2018	39.73	399^th	567	29.6%
2019	17.51	531^st	603	11.9%
2021	30.37	442^nd	567	22.0%
2022	42.21	380^th	574	33.8%
2023	42.37	381^st	565	32.6%
2024	39.23	390^th	557	30.0%

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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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Melcher-Dallas Elementary

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	257	0	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	260
1989	269	0	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	272
1990	259	0	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	263
1991	271	1	4	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	277
1992	266	1	4	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	274
1993	270	1	4	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	278
1994	256	1	4	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	263
1995	246	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	246
1996	246	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	246
1997	247	1	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	251
1998	240	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	241
1999	253	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	254
2000	257	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	-20	237
2001	235	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	235
2002	256	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	257
2003	256	0	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	257
2004	231	2	0	1	3	n/a	n/a	0	237
2005	182	3	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	187
2006	204	2	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	208
2007	236	2	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	242
2008	224	2	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	230
2009	235	2	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	239
2010	172	1	4	3	0	0	0	0	180
2011	195	1	2	7	0	0	0	0	205
2012	207	3	2	10	0	0	1	0	223
2013	213	5	1	11	0	0	1	0	231
2014	221	6	0	6	0	0	0	0	233
2015	221	6	0	5	0	0	0	0	232
2016	211	3	0	8	0	0	0	0	222
2017	217	3	0	4	0	0	0	0	224
2018	225	3	0	5	0	0	0	0	233
2019	230	2	0	5	0	0	2	0	239
2020	184	2	0	4	0	0	2	0	192
2021	182	1	0	3	0	0	1	0	187
2022	174	1	0	5	0	0	1	0	181
2023	172	1	0	3	0	0	1	0	177
2024	153	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	156

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 Melcher-Dallas Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	260	14.0	18.5	25.8
1989	272	14.9	18.2	21.7
1990	263	14.9	17.6	12.9
1991	277	16.2	17.0	13.4
1992	274	18.0	15.2	17.2
1993	278	18.6	14.9	21.6
1994	263	19.0	13.8	23.2
1995	246	17.6	14.0	29.3
1996	246	17.6	14.0	29.3
1997	251	19.5	12.9	25.1
1998	241	21.8	11.1	22
1999	254	21.2	12.0	32.7
2000	237	20.6	11.5	33.5
2001	235	21.6	10.9	35.7
2002	257	20.3	12.7	38.1
2003	257	20.3	12.7	38.1
2004	237	22.3	10.6	34.6
2005	187	20.1	9.3	41.7
2006	208	15.9	13.1	40.4
2007	242	16.9	14.3	35.5
2008	230	17.8	12.9	36.5
2009	239	13.9	17.2	26.8
2010	180	13.9	12.9	38.9
2011	205	13.0	15.7	38.5
2012	223	13.0	17.1	37.7
2013	231	14.3	16.0	44.2
2014	233	12.0	19.4	38.6
2015	232	14.0	16.5	41.8
2016	222	16.0	13.8	44.1
2017	224	16.2	13.8	41.1
2018	233	14.4	16.1	36.5
2019	239	15.5	15.3	34.3
2020	192	15.5	12.3	40.1
2021	187	13.6	13.7	37.4
2022	181	13.5	13.3	30.4
2023	177	11.5	15.3	31.1
2024	156	10.3	15.0	30.1

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 Melcher-Dallas Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	260	14.0	18.5	25.8
1989	272	14.9	18.2	21.7
1990	263	14.9	17.6	12.9
1991	277	16.2	17.0	13.4
1992	274	18.0	15.2	17.2
1993	278	18.6	14.9	21.6
1994	263	19.0	13.8	23.2
1995	246	17.6	14.0	29.3
1996	246	17.6	14.0	29.3
1997	251	19.5	12.9	25.1
1998	241	21.8	11.1	22
1999	254	21.2	12.0	32.7
2000	237	20.6	11.5	33.5
2001	235	21.6	10.9	35.7
2002	257	20.3	12.7	38.1
2003	257	20.3	12.7	38.1
2004	237	22.3	10.6	34.6
2005	187	20.1	9.3	41.7
2006	208	15.9	13.1	40.4
2007	242	16.9	14.3	35.5
2008	230	17.8	12.9	36.5
2009	239	13.9	17.2	26.8
2010	180	13.9	12.9	38.9
2011	205	13.0	15.7	38.5
2012	223	13.0	17.1	37.7
2013	231	14.3	16.0	44.2
2014	233	12.0	19.4	38.6
2015	232	14.0	16.5	41.8
2016	222	16.0	13.8	44.1
2017	224	16.2	13.8	41.1
2018	233	14.4	16.1	36.5
2019	239	15.5	15.3	34.3
2020	192	15.5	12.3	40.1
2021	187	13.6	13.7	37.4
2022	181	13.5	13.3	30.4
2023	177	11.5	15.3	31.1
2024	156	10.3	15.0	30.1

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 Melcher-Dallas Elementary

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$776 (6.9%)	$10,459 (93.1%)	$11,236

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Melcher-Dallas Elementary

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 531^st of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 381^st of 565 Elementary schools	20.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	35.7	63.2	27.5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	35.7	63.2	27.5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	71.4	57.9	13.5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	71.4	57.9	13.5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	48.3	80	31.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	48.3	80	31.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	65.5	75	9.5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	65.5	75	9.5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	51.4	71.4	20%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	51.4	71.4	20%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	17.1	76.2	59.1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	17.1	76.2	59.1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	62.5	52.6	9.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	62.5	52.6	9.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Elementary)	46.9	47.4	0.5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Melcher-Dallas Community School District)	46.9	47.4	0.5%
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	239	177	25.9%
African American	2	1	50%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	5	3	40%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	230	172	25.2%
Two or More Races	2	1	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	34.3%	31.1%	3.2%

Schools Near Melcher-Dallas Elementary

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
Melcher-Dallas Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	1003 E Park St	Dallas	50062	Marion County	Melcher-Dallas Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 947-3151	156	10	15.0	30.1%	153 (98.1%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.3%)	39.2	390^th of 557 public elementary schools	30.0%		42.4	381^st of 565 public elementary schools	32.6%	9	37.5	75.0	70.0	75.0	70.8	65.0	75.0	75.0	40.0	$11,236	$776	$10,459
West Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	306 S Park Lane Dr	Knoxville	50138	Marion County	Knoxville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 842-2185	490	30	16.0	48.6%	443 (90.4%)	9 (1.8%)	10 (2.0%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.5%)								(n/a)										$13,948	$757	$13,191
Northstar Elementary School	Public	3-5	407 W Larson	Knoxville	50138	Marion County	Knoxville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 842-6527	342	24	14.4	52.6%	299 (87.4%)	3 (0.9%)	16 (4.7%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.8%)	34.9	415^th of 557 public elementary schools	25.5%		26.7	455^th of 565 public elementary schools	19.5%	40	49.5	69.7	62.7		75.2	68.0	58.2		52.3	$13,116	$644	$12,471
Pleasantville Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	414 Jones St	Pleasantville	50225	Marion County	Pleasantville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 848-0566	456	29	15.8	34.2%	432 (94.7%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.1%)	58.4	267^th of 557 public elementary schools	52.1%		53.3	304^th of 565 public elementary schools	46.2%	37	81.7	86.4	70.4	68.3	86.7	90.9	72.2	60.7	55.6	$13,230	$553	$12,677
Southeast Warren Primary	Public	PK, KG-3	316 N 5th	Milo	50166	Warren County	Southeast Warren Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 942-6216	129	10	12.3	34.1%	127 (98.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	77.3				90.9					$12,545	$574	$11,972
Van Allen Elementary School	Public	3-5	1129 Ashland	Chariton	50049	Lucas County	Chariton Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 774-5047	276	18	15.1	52.9%	252 (91.3%)	1 (0.4%)	17 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.2%)	35.1	414^th of 557 public elementary schools	25.7%		36.2	423^rd of 565 public elementary schools	25.1%	9	54.2	71.8	64.8		67.7	65.9	64.8		50.0	$12,903	$1,028	$11,874
Columbus Elementary School	Public	K-2	1215 Linden Ave	Chariton	50049	Lucas County	Chariton Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 774-4712	309	22	14.2	61.2%	284 (91.9%)	1 (0.3%)	22 (7.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)								(n/a)										$12,543	$1,038	$11,505
Twin Cedars Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2204 Highway G71	Bussey	50044	Marion County	Twin Cedars Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 944-5245	179	11	16.6	50.3%	166 (92.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.2%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.9%)	31.3	437^th of 557 public elementary schools	21.5%		28.5	447^th of 565 public elementary schools	20.9%	10	57.9	64.0	63.2	63.2	78.9	56.0	68.4	36.8	57.9	$12,458	$838	$11,621
Hartford Upper Elementary	Public	4-5	500 N. Vine	Hartford	50118	Warren County	Carlisle Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 989-0316	310	19	16.1	30.6%	252 (81.3%)	4 (1.3%)	31 (10.0%)	16 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	6 (1.9%)	66	191^st of 557 public elementary schools	65.7%		57.4	263^rd of 565 public elementary schools	53.5%	72		78.2	71.5			80.3	84.2		61.4	$9,940	$408	$9,531
Emerson Elementary School	Public	K-5	1109 E Euclid	Indianola	50125	Warren County	Indianola Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 961-9550	415	32	12.9	40.5%	350 (84.3%)	7 (1.7%)	35 (8.4%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (4.1%)	64.1	207^th of 557 public elementary schools	62.8%		53.3	303^rd of 565 public elementary schools	46.4%	96	66.2	83.1	66.7		79.4	81.5	81.5		64.2	$12,431	$403	$12,028

Frequently Asked Questions about Melcher-Dallas Elementary

What district is Melcher-Dallas Elementary in?

Melcher-Dallas Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Melcher-Dallas Elementary?

Students at Melcher-Dallas Elementary are 98% White, 1% Two or more races.

How many students attend Melcher-Dallas Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 156 students attended Melcher-Dallas Elementary.

Is Melcher-Dallas Elementary a good school?

Melcher-Dallas Elementary ranks 390^th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Melcher-Dallas Elementary attend?

Students who attend Melcher-Dallas Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Melcher-Dallas High School

Rate Melcher-Dallas Elementary!

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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.