West Elementary School

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:
285th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,958 Help


Students who attend West Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Independence Junior Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.1 Help
Number of students:  381

Racial breakdown:

White:
89.8%
Two or more races:
4.7%
Hispanic:
4.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  40.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details West Elementary School ranks worse than 51.2% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 56.25. (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.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Elementary School is $12,958.
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 193rd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for West Elementary School

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

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

West 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 West 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 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

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

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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

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

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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

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

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal 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 262nd of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 290th 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)64.660
 4.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)64.660
 4.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)7271.3
 0.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)7271.3
 0.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)75.970.8
 5.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)75.970.8
 5.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)77.877.5
 0.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)77.877.5
 0.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)67.769.5
 1.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)67.769.5
 1.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)67.773.7
 6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)67.773.7
 6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (West Elementary School)73.879.6
 5.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Community School District)73.879.6
 5.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (West Elementary School)86.479.6
 6.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Independence Community School District)86.479.6
 6.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students394381
 3.3%
African American23
 50%
American Indian00
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic817
 112.5%
Pacific Islander01
White376342
 9%
Two or More Races718
 157.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients41.9%40.2%
 1.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about West Elementary School

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

In the 2022-23 school year, 381 students attended West Elementary School.

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

High : Independence Junior Senior High School

Students at West Elementary School are 90% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.


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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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