Cora B Darling Elementary

Summary:

Cora B Darling Elementary is a public elementary school located in Postville, Iowa, serving grades PK-6 with a student population of 312. The school is part of the Postville Community School District, which is ranked 302 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Cora B Darling Elementary faces significant challenges in terms of academic performance, with consistently low rankings, test scores, and high poverty rates. The school has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating very low performance compared to other schools in the state. Its student proficiency rates on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) are significantly below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 44.7% compared to the state average of 64.2%. Additionally, Cora B Darling Elementary has extremely high rates of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, ranging from 72.12% to 99.46% over the past 3 school years, suggesting a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

In comparison, the nearby schools in the Decorah Community School District and Central Community School District significantly outperform Cora B Darling Elementary on academic measures. For instance, Carrie Lee Elementary in Decorah had 3rd-grade English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency rates of 73.7% and 78%, respectively, in 2023-2024, compared to Cora B Darling's 44.7% and 55.3%. Exploring the factors contributing to these disparities, such as resource allocation, teacher quality, and community engagement, could provide valuable insights to help the school and district address these issues.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

312 W Post
Postville, IA 52162-0717

(563) 864-7653

District: Postville Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
488^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,595

Students who attend Cora B Darling Elementary usually attend:

High:

John R Mott Junior/High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.3

Number of students: 350

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

76.9%

White:

19.7%

African American:

2.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 80.3%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Cora B Darling Elementary ranks worse than 87.6% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.18. (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: Hispanic (76.9%), White (19.7%), African American (2.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 80.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cora B Darling Elementary is 11.3. (See more...)

Compare Cora B Darling Elementary employs 30.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cora B Darling Elementary is $14,595.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Cora B Darling Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Postville Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Postville Community School District 302^nd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Cora B Darling Elementary

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	32.31	514^th	626	17.9%
2013	33.67	497^th	624	20.4%
2014	20.23	527^th	603	12.6%
2015	14.60	551^st	616	10.6%
2016	13.89	537^th	599	10.4%
2017	7.24	537^th	574	6.4%
2018	5.99	538^th	567	5.1%
2019	14.90	543^rd	603	10.0%
2021	13.59	513^th	567	9.5%
2022	19.71	490^th	574	14.6%
2023	19.27	485^th	565	14.2%
2024	15.18	488^th	557	12.4%

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 Cora B Darling Elementary

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	450	0	3	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	453
1989	458	0	5	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	468
1990	476	0	6	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	487
1991	464	0	7	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	478
1992	483	0	7	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	493
1993	478	1	8	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	489
1994	461	1	9	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	471
1995	434	1	8	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	446
1996	434	1	8	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	446
1997	393	1	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	402
1998	407	1	6	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	425
1999	395	3	5	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	420
2000	387	5	2	27	0	n/a	n/a	-16	405
2001	326	6	3	48	1	n/a	n/a	0	384
2002	267	5	3	81	1	n/a	n/a	0	357
2003	267	5	3	81	1	n/a	n/a	0	357
2004	249	5	3	119	1	n/a	n/a	0	377
2005	226	7	5	143	2	n/a	n/a	0	383
2006	210	7	3	168	2	n/a	n/a	0	390
2007	180	7	2	197	1	n/a	n/a	0	387
2008	172	5	2	191	2	n/a	n/a	0	372
2009	172	22	2	167	2	n/a	n/a	0	365
2010	177	13	2	164	0	1	7	0	364
2011	182	12	2	188	0	2	4	0	390
2012	178	9	2	208	0	1	1	0	399
2013	168	28	3	226	0	1	0	0	426
2014	170	38	1	237	5	0	8	0	459
2015	140	28	0	208	2	1	8	0	387
2016	129	32	0	223	2	0	11	0	397
2017	125	40	5	225	1	0	9	0	405
2018	121	51	0	236	0	0	7	0	415
2019	110	38	0	255	0	0	8	0	411
2020	103	36	0	267	0	0	6	0	412
2021	100	29	0	236	0	0	7	0	372
2022	75	16	0	230	0	0	3	0	324
2023	73	16	0	221	0	0	2	0	312
2024	69	10	0	269	0	0	2	0	350

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 Cora B Darling Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	453	28.3	16.0	15.2
1989	468	27.7	16.8	15.6
1990	487	28.0	17.3	18.5
1991	478	28.8	16.5	16.9
1992	493	29.0	17.0	18.1
1993	489	30.2	16.2	22.5
1994	471	30.2	15.6	22.7
1995	446	27.0	16.5	22.9
1996	446	27.0	16.5	22.9
1997	402	27.0	14.9	21.6
1998	425	25.3	16.8	27.3
1999	420	27.1	15.5	41.2
2000	405	27.5	14.7	36.1
2001	384	29.2	13.2	40.9
2002	357	30.3	11.8	48.2
2003	357	30.3	11.8	48.2
2004	377	33.4	11.3	54.9
2005	383	26.8	14.3	54.6
2006	390	28.4	13.7	61.8
2007	387	31.9	12.1	63.8
2008	372	30.9	12.0	68.8
2009	365	22.7	16.1	71
2010	364	30.0	12.1	72.3
2011	390	31.0	12.5	77.2
2012	399	29.5	13.5	78.9
2013	426	30.8	13.8	79.8
2014	459	33.0	13.8	80.6
2015	387	31.0	12.4	100
2016	397	35.0	11.3	100
2017	405	36.4	11.1	84.2
2018	415	37.3	11.1	80.7
2019	411	37.2	11.0	99.3
2020	412	38.6	10.6	99.8
2021	372	37.6	9.8	99.5
2022	324	36.7	8.8	74.4
2023	312	35.7	8.7	72.1
2024	350	30.8	11.3	80.3

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 Cora B Darling Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	453	28.3	16.0	15.2
1989	468	27.7	16.8	15.6
1990	487	28.0	17.3	18.5
1991	478	28.8	16.5	16.9
1992	493	29.0	17.0	18.1
1993	489	30.2	16.2	22.5
1994	471	30.2	15.6	22.7
1995	446	27.0	16.5	22.9
1996	446	27.0	16.5	22.9
1997	402	27.0	14.9	21.6
1998	425	25.3	16.8	27.3
1999	420	27.1	15.5	41.2
2000	405	27.5	14.7	36.1
2001	384	29.2	13.2	40.9
2002	357	30.3	11.8	48.2
2003	357	30.3	11.8	48.2
2004	377	33.4	11.3	54.9
2005	383	26.8	14.3	54.6
2006	390	28.4	13.7	61.8
2007	387	31.9	12.1	63.8
2008	372	30.9	12.0	68.8
2009	365	22.7	16.1	71
2010	364	30.0	12.1	72.3
2011	390	31.0	12.5	77.2
2012	399	29.5	13.5	78.9
2013	426	30.8	13.8	79.8
2014	459	33.0	13.8	80.6
2015	387	31.0	12.4	100
2016	397	35.0	11.3	100
2017	405	36.4	11.1	84.2
2018	415	37.3	11.1	80.7
2019	411	37.2	11.0	99.3
2020	412	38.6	10.6	99.8
2021	372	37.6	9.8	99.5
2022	324	36.7	8.8	74.4
2023	312	35.7	8.7	72.1
2024	350	30.8	11.3	80.3

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 Cora B Darling Elementary

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,723 (11.8%)	$12,871 (88.2%)	$14,595

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cora B Darling 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 543^rd of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 485^th of 565 Elementary schools	4.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cora B Darling Elementary)	36.5	70.3	33.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Postville Community School District)	36.5	70.3	33.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cora B Darling Elementary)	53.8	51.4	2.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Postville Community School District)	53.8	51.4	2.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cora B Darling Elementary)	62.1	58.3	3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Postville Community School District)	62.1	58.3	3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cora B Darling Elementary)	62.1	55.6	6.5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Postville Community School District)	62.1	55.6	6.5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cora B Darling Elementary)	45.1	45.2	0.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Postville Community School District)	45.1	45.2	0.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cora B Darling Elementary)	37.3	46.9	9.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Postville Community School District)	37.3	46.9	9.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Cora B Darling Elementary)	55.9	68.2	12.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Postville Community School District)	55.9	68.2	12.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Cora B Darling Elementary)	57.4	52.3	5.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Postville Community School District)	57.4	52.3	5.1%
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	411	312	24.1%
African American	38	16	57.9%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	255	221	13.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	110	73	33.6%
Two or More Races	8	2	75%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	99.3%	72.1%	27.2%

Schools Near Cora B Darling 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
Cora B Darling Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	312 W Post	Postville	52162	Allamakee County	Postville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 864-7653	350	31	11.3	80.3%	69 (19.7%)	10 (2.9%)	269 (76.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	15.2	488^th of 557 public elementary schools	12.4%		19.3	485^th of 565 public elementary schools	14.2%	3	44.7	59.4	48.6	55.6	55.3	53.1	54.3	48.1	57.1	$14,595	$1,723	$12,871
Postville Early Childhood Preschool/Post St/REC Center	Public	PK	313 West Post Street	Postville	52162	Allamakee County	Postville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(563) 964-7669	11	1	11.0	36.4%	4 (36.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (63.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St	Public	PK	210 South Ogden St.	Postville	52162	Allamakee County	Postville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(563) 864-7651	13	1	14.4	69.2%	4 (30.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (69.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Valley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	23493 Canoe Rd	Elgin	52141	Fayette County	North Fayette Valley Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 422-3851	191	11	17.5	40.3%	170 (89.0%)	2 (1.0%)	14 (7.3%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.1%)	74.1	116^th of 557 public elementary schools	79.2%		49.3	330^th of 565 public elementary schools	41.6%	214	80.0	82.7			86.7	78.7				$15,786	$707	$15,080
MFL MarMac Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	700 S Page St.	Monona	52159	Clayton County	MFL MarMac Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 539-2032	319	23	13.8	32.3%	300 (94.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)								(n/a)	61.7				80.0					$12,542	$631	$11,911
South Winneshiek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	208 E Brooks St	Ossian	52161	Winneshiek County	South Winneshiek Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 532-9365	207	15	13.9	34.8%	191 (92.3%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.8%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.4%)	72.1	139^th of 557 public elementary schools	75.0%		82.2	66^th of 565 public elementary schools	88.3%	73	71.4	80.6			78.6	88.9				$16,802	$789	$16,014
East Campus Elementary School	Public	3-5	107 6th St NW	Waukon	52172	Allamakee County	Allamakee Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 568-6304	228	17	13.4	47.8%	217 (95.2%)	2 (0.9%)	4 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.2%)	72	143^rd of 557 public elementary schools	74.3%		68	182^nd of 565 public elementary schools	67.8%	39	91.3	80.6	72.4		94.2	71.6	78.2		67.8	$13,714	$690	$13,024
West Campus Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	953 3rd Ave NW	Waukon	52172	Allamakee County	Allamakee Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 568-6375	275	24	11.4	39.3%	250 (90.9%)	1 (0.4%)	14 (5.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.3%)								(n/a)										$15,736	$1,509	$14,227
West Union Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	400 North Pine	West Union	52175	Fayette County	North Fayette Valley Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 422-3851	215	20	10.7	43.7%	197 (91.6%)	1 (0.5%)	16 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)								(n/a)	81.1				89.2					$15,834	$254	$15,582
Central Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	400 1st Street NW	Elkader	52043	Clayton County	Central Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(563) 245-1472	277	18	15.1	50.5%	249 (89.9%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.1%)	70.8	152^nd of 557 public elementary schools	72.7%		61.2	232^nd of 565 public elementary schools	58.9%	80	90.0	73.5	64.5	83.3	97.5	79.4	90.3	66.7	67.7	$15,237	$509	$14,727

Frequently Asked Questions about Cora B Darling Elementary

What district is Cora B Darling Elementary in?

Postville Community School District

Is Cora B Darling Elementary a good school?

Cora B Darling Elementary ranks in the bottom 12.4% of Iowa elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Cora B Darling Elementary?

Students at Cora B Darling Elementary are 77% Hispanic, 20% White, 3% African American.

What schools do graduates of Cora B Darling Elementary attend?

Students who attend Cora B Darling Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : John R Mott Junior/High School

How many students attend Cora B Darling Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 350 students attended Cora B Darling Elementary.

Rate Cora B Darling 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.