Essex Elementary School

Summary:

Essex Elementary School is a small public elementary school serving grades PK-5 in the Essex Community School District in Essex, Iowa. With just 109 students enrolled, the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools.

While Essex Elementary has a higher spending per student than some neighboring schools, its academic performance lags behind. The school's test scores on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) are generally below the state averages across grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's English Language Arts proficiency rates ranged from 28.6% to 53.8%, compared to the state averages of 64.2% to 72.9%. In Mathematics, the school's proficiency rates were 50% to 69.2%, versus the state averages of 70.7% to 76.3%. Essex Elementary's statewide ranking among Iowa elementary schools has also declined in recent years, from 214th out of 603 schools in 2018-2019 to 478th out of 557 schools in 2023-2024.

When compared to nearby schools like Sidney Elementary, Fremont-Mills Elementary, and Stanton Elementary, Essex Elementary's performance is generally lower. The school's high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 51.96% to 70.97% over the past three years, may be a contributing factor to its academic challenges. Exploring best practices from higher-performing schools in the area could provide insights for Essex Elementary to enhance its educational programs and strategies.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 111 Forbes St
       Essex, IA  51638


(712) 379-3114

District: Essex Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
478th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,793 Help


Students who attend Essex Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Essex Junior-Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.5 Help
Number of students:  121

Racial breakdown:

White:
93.4%
Hispanic:
3.3%
Two or more races:
3.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  48.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Essex Elementary School ranks worse than 85.8% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.05. (See more...)
Help
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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.4%), Hispanic (3.3%), two or more races (3.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 48.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Essex Elementary School is 14.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Essex Elementary School employs 8.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Essex Elementary School is $15,793.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Essex Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Essex Community School District 260th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Essex Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 61.82 252nd 626 59.7%
2013 69.10 162nd 624 74.0%
2014 46.23 406th 603 32.7%
2015 37.72 457th 616 25.8%
2016 40.32 436th 599 27.2%
2017 53.58 325th 574 43.4%
2018 30.98 444th 567 21.7%
2019 65.37 214th 603 64.5%
2021 59.85 240th 567 57.7%
2022 59.36 251st 574 56.3%
2023 50.39 324th 565 42.7%
2024 18.05 478th 557 14.2%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Essex Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Essex Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 190 0 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 192
1989 192 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 192
1990 177 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 177
1991 184 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 184
1992 173 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 173
1993 167 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 167
1994 169 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 169
1995 161 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 161
1996 161 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 161
1997 170 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 170
1998 162 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 162
1999 150 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 150
2000 167 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a -13 155
2001 153 1 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 156
2002 155 1 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 157
2003 155 1 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 157
2004 137 0 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 138
2005 135 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 135
2006 159 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 159
2007 158 2 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 163
2008 160 2 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 167
2009 145 3 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 153
2010 125 2 0 1 1 0 2 0 131
2011 112 2 0 0 1 0 10 0 125
2012 100 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 104
2013 97 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 101
2014 123 0 0 9 1 0 2 0 135
2015 104 0 0 6 0 0 1 0 111
2016 99 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 108
2017 90 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 96
2018 92 0 0 7 0 0 1 0 100
2019 89 0 0 7 2 0 0 0 98
2020 86 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 90
2021 87 0 0 2 1 0 3 0 93
2022 95 0 0 2 1 0 4 0 102
2023 102 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 109
2024 113 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 121

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 Essex Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 192 11.8 16.2 18.8
1989 192 11.2 17.1 1.6
1990 177 11.3 15.6 15.3
1991 184 11.3 16.2 19
1992 173 11.0 15.7 18.5
1993 167 11.2 14.9 20.4
1994 169 11.5 14.7 17.2
1995 161 11.6 13.9 16.8
1996 161 11.6 13.9 16.8
1997 170 11.6 14.7 18.2
1998 162 11.5 14.1 15.4
1999 150 11.5 13.0 28.7
2000 155 16.1 9.6 18.5
2001 156 11.8 13.2 37.8
2002 157 9.0 17.4 40.8
2003 157 9.0 17.4 40.8
2004 138 10.7 12.9 31.9
2005 135 11.0 12.3 25.9
2006 159 11.5 13.8 31.4
2007 163 11.5 14.2 38
2008 167 11.5 14.5 38.9
2009 153 7.5 20.4 30.7
2010 131 10.0 13.1 32.8
2011 125 9.0 13.8 39.2
2012 104 10.8 9.5 32.7
2013 101 9.9 10.1 42.6
2014 135 10.6 12.6 57
2015 111 11.0 10.0 49.5
2016 108 11.0 9.8 61.1
2017 96 9.7 9.8 51
2018 100 8.7 11.4 68
2019 98 8.7 11.2 71.4
2020 90 6.8 13.2 71.1
2021 93 8.7 10.6 71
2022 102 9.4 10.8 52
2023 109 10.3 10.5 60.6
2024 121 8.3 14.5 48.8

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 Essex Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 192 11.8 16.2 18.8
1989 192 11.2 17.1 1.6
1990 177 11.3 15.6 15.3
1991 184 11.3 16.2 19
1992 173 11.0 15.7 18.5
1993 167 11.2 14.9 20.4
1994 169 11.5 14.7 17.2
1995 161 11.6 13.9 16.8
1996 161 11.6 13.9 16.8
1997 170 11.6 14.7 18.2
1998 162 11.5 14.1 15.4
1999 150 11.5 13.0 28.7
2000 155 16.1 9.6 18.5
2001 156 11.8 13.2 37.8
2002 157 9.0 17.4 40.8
2003 157 9.0 17.4 40.8
2004 138 10.7 12.9 31.9
2005 135 11.0 12.3 25.9
2006 159 11.5 13.8 31.4
2007 163 11.5 14.2 38
2008 167 11.5 14.5 38.9
2009 153 7.5 20.4 30.7
2010 131 10.0 13.1 32.8
2011 125 9.0 13.8 39.2
2012 104 10.8 9.5 32.7
2013 101 9.9 10.1 42.6
2014 135 10.6 12.6 57
2015 111 11.0 10.0 49.5
2016 108 11.0 9.8 61.1
2017 96 9.7 9.8 51
2018 100 8.7 11.4 68
2019 98 8.7 11.2 71.4
2020 90 6.8 13.2 71.1
2021 93 8.7 10.6 71
2022 102 9.4 10.8 52
2023 109 10.3 10.5 60.6
2024 121 8.3 14.5 48.8

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 Essex Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $829 (5.2%) $14,965 (94.8%) $15,793

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Essex 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 214th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 324th of 565 Elementary schools
 21.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Essex Elementary School)9041.2
 48.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Essex Community School District)9041.2
 48.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Essex Elementary School)8064.7
 15.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Essex Community School District)8064.7
 15.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Essex Elementary School)71.453.8
 17.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Essex Community School District)71.453.8
 17.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Essex Elementary School)78.669.2
 9.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Essex Community School District)78.669.2
 9.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Essex Elementary School)71.4100
 28.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Essex Community School District)71.4100
 28.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Essex Elementary School)71.492.3
 20.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Essex Community School District)71.492.3
 20.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students98109
 11.2%
African American00
American Indian20
 100%
Asian00
Hispanic73
 57.1%
Pacific Islander00
White89102
 14.6%
Two or More Races04
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71.4%60.6%
 10.9%


Schools Near Essex Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Essex Elementary School

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

High : Essex Junior-Senior High School

Essex Elementary School ranks in the bottom 14.2% of Iowa elementary schools.

Students at Essex Elementary School are 93% White, 3% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 121 students attended Essex 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.





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