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Pence Elementary

Summary:

Pence Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades 2-4 in the Fairfield Community School District in Fairfield, IA, with 333 students as of the 2022-2023 school year.

Pence Elementary's academic performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), is generally lower than the state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 52.4%, compared to the state average of 64.2%, and the school's 4th-grade Mathematics proficiency rate was 62.6%, compared to the state average of 72.7%. Pence Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools, with a ranking of 450 out of 557 schools in the 2023-2024 school year. However, the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.8 students per teacher, which is lower than the nearby Washington Elementary (13.7 students per teacher) and the state average.

Pence Elementary's academic performance has been declining over the past few years, with the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate decreasing from 55.3% in 2022-2023 to 52.4% in 2023-2024, while the state average has remained relatively stable. The school's academic performance is generally lower than that of the nearby Washington Elementary, which is also part of the Fairfield Community School District. The high percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients at Pence Elementary (51.65% in 2022-2023) may be a contributing factor to the school's lower academic performance.


Detail:

Public 2-4

 1000 South 6th Street
       Fairfield, IA  52556-3940

(641) 472-2957

District: Fairfield Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
450th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,433 Help


Students who attend Pence Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Fairfield Middle School
High:    Fairfield High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.8 Help
Number of students:  339

Racial breakdown:

White:
79.1%
Two or more races:
7.4%
Hispanic:
6.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  50.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Pence Elementary ranks worse than 80.8% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.37. (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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (79.1%), two or more races (7.4%), Hispanic (6.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 50.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pence Elementary is 12.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Pence Elementary employs 26.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pence Elementary is $13,433.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Fairfield Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Fairfield Community School District 235th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Pence Elementary

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 57.61 302nd 626 51.8%
2013 48.82 390th 624 37.5%
2014 35.42 470th 603 22.1%
2015 7.80 576th 616 6.5%
2016 12.70 545th 599 9.0%
2017 27.82 462nd 574 19.5%
2019 35.29 439th 603 27.2%
2021 31.57 431st 567 24.0%
2022 32.39 434th 574 24.4%
2023 28.87 443rd 565 21.6%
2024 27.37 450th 557 19.2%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Pence Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    




Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Pence Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 333 1 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 343
1989 269 1 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 275
1990 300 0 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 307
1991 312 0 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 315
1992 310 3 4 5 1 n/a n/a 0 323
1993 316 5 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 327
1994 317 3 4 4 0 n/a n/a 0 328
1995 321 3 3 5 1 n/a n/a 0 333
1996 321 3 3 5 1 n/a n/a 0 333
1997 326 3 0 4 2 n/a n/a 0 335
1998 294 3 5 6 0 n/a n/a 0 308
1999 300 5 7 7 0 n/a n/a 0 319
2000 300 5 13 10 0 n/a n/a -23 305
2001 266 5 12 14 0 n/a n/a 0 297
2002 282 6 7 14 2 n/a n/a 0 311
2003 282 6 7 14 2 n/a n/a 0 311
2004 280 7 6 14 2 n/a n/a 0 309
2005 265 6 10 15 2 n/a n/a 0 298
2006 277 4 7 15 0 n/a n/a 0 303
2007 262 9 9 16 0 n/a n/a 0 296
2008 247 5 11 14 0 n/a n/a 0 277
2009 246 5 7 16 0 n/a n/a 0 274
2010 265 5 7 18 0 0 4 0 299
2011 290 10 11 16 0 0 12 0 339
2012 254 12 9 20 0 0 10 0 305
2013 244 7 7 21 0 0 10 0 289
2014 257 9 2 18 0 0 8 0 294
2015 250 8 4 30 0 0 6 0 298
2016 245 13 5 25 0 0 6 0 294
2017 240 12 6 29 0 1 7 0 295
2018 297 8 8 21 5 0 8 0 347
2019 278 9 14 37 3 1 9 0 351
2020 269 8 11 31 1 0 8 0 328
2021 242 6 14 32 0 0 11 0 305
2022 259 4 15 29 0 1 8 0 316
2023 256 5 25 27 0 0 20 0 333
2024 268 4 19 22 1 0 25 0 339

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 Pence Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 343 21.2 16.1 17.8
1989 275 20.2 13.6 13.5
1990 307 22.2 13.8 21.5
1991 315 23.5 13.4 21.3
1992 323 23.0 14.0 24.1
1993 327 22.5 14.5 26.9
1994 328 22.5 14.6 28.7
1995 333 22.5 14.8 24.9
1996 333 22.5 14.8 24.9
1997 335 22.5 14.9 23
1998 308 20.9 14.7 29.9
1999 319 20.9 15.3 35.1
2000 305 22.8 13.4 26.5
2001 297 23.2 12.8 26.6
2002 311 23.5 13.2 35.7
2003 311 23.5 13.2 35.7
2004 309 22.5 13.7 38.2
2005 298 22.5 13.2 40.3
2006 303 22.5 13.5 39.9
2007 296 22.3 13.3 41.9
2008 277 21.9 12.6 37.9
2009 274 22.9 12.0 39.4
2010 299 22.9 13.0 44.5
2011 339 27.9 12.1 53.4
2012 305 30.9 9.8 56.4
2013 289 27.3 10.5 58.5
2014 294 24.4 12.0 56.1
2015 298 26.0 11.4 63.4
2016 294 24.0 12.2 55.4
2017 295 23.9 12.3 59.7
2018 347 25.7 13.4 49.6
2019 351 24.2 14.5 56.1
2020 328 24.2 13.5 50.9
2021 305 27.4 11.1 48.9
2022 316 24.5 12.8 45.6
2023 333 28.1 11.8 51.7
2024 339 26.3 12.8 50.4

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 Pence Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 343 21.2 16.1 17.8
1989 275 20.2 13.6 13.5
1990 307 22.2 13.8 21.5
1991 315 23.5 13.4 21.3
1992 323 23.0 14.0 24.1
1993 327 22.5 14.5 26.9
1994 328 22.5 14.6 28.7
1995 333 22.5 14.8 24.9
1996 333 22.5 14.8 24.9
1997 335 22.5 14.9 23
1998 308 20.9 14.7 29.9
1999 319 20.9 15.3 35.1
2000 305 22.8 13.4 26.5
2001 297 23.2 12.8 26.6
2002 311 23.5 13.2 35.7
2003 311 23.5 13.2 35.7
2004 309 22.5 13.7 38.2
2005 298 22.5 13.2 40.3
2006 303 22.5 13.5 39.9
2007 296 22.3 13.3 41.9
2008 277 21.9 12.6 37.9
2009 274 22.9 12.0 39.4
2010 299 22.9 13.0 44.5
2011 339 27.9 12.1 53.4
2012 305 30.9 9.8 56.4
2013 289 27.3 10.5 58.5
2014 294 24.4 12.0 56.1
2015 298 26.0 11.4 63.4
2016 294 24.0 12.2 55.4
2017 295 23.9 12.3 59.7
2018 347 25.7 13.4 49.6
2019 351 24.2 14.5 56.1
2020 328 24.2 13.5 50.9
2021 305 27.4 11.1 48.9
2022 316 24.5 12.8 45.6
2023 333 28.1 11.8 51.7
2024 339 26.3 12.8 50.4

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 Pence Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,191 (8.9%) $12,242 (91.1%) $13,433

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Pence 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 439th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 443rd of 565 Elementary schools
 5.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pence Elementary)57.555.3
 2.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fairfield Community School District)57.555.3
 2.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pence Elementary)76.270.2
 6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Fairfield Community School District)76.270.2
 6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pence Elementary)58.758.1
 0.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Fairfield Community School District)58.758.1
 0.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pence Elementary)62.964.5
 1.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Fairfield Community School District)62.964.5
 1.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students351333
 5.1%
African American95
 44.4%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian1425
 78.6%
Hispanic3727
 27%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White278256
 7.9%
Two or More Races920
 122.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients56.1%51.7%
 4.5%

Schools Near Pence Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Pence Elementary

Students who attend Pence Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Fairfield Middle School
High : Fairfield High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 339 students attended Pence Elementary.

Pence Elementary ranks in the bottom 19.2% of Iowa elementary schools.

Students at Pence Elementary are 79% White, 7% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 1% African American.


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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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