Northstar Elementary School

Q: Is Northstar Elementary School a good school?

Northstar Elementary School ranks 415 th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Northstar Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Knoxville, Iowa, serving grades 3-5 with a total enrollment of 341 students. The school is part of the Knoxville Community School District, which is ranked 261 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Northstar Elementary's academic performance, as measured by the ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress), is generally below the state average and the performance of nearby schools, such as Runnells Elementary and Hartford Upper Elementary. For example, in 2023-2024, the percentage of 3rd-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts (49.5%) and Mathematics (75.2%) was lower than the state averages of 64.2% and 76.3%, respectively. Additionally, Northstar Elementary has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, with 55.43% of students qualifying in the 2022-2023 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average and some nearby schools.

Northstar Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Iowa elementary schools, with a ranking of 415 out of 557 schools in 2023-2024 and a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's performance has declined over the years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 313 out of 603 schools in 2013-2014 to 415 out of 557 schools in 2023-2024, suggesting that the Knoxville Community School District may need to implement targeted interventions and strategies to improve student outcomes at Northstar Elementary.

Detail:

Public 3-5

407 W Larson
Knoxville, IA 50138

(641) 842-6527

District: Knoxville Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
415^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,116

Students who attend Northstar Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Knoxville Middle School
High:	Knoxville High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.4

Number of students: 342

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.4%

Two or more races:

5.8%

Hispanic:

4.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 52.6%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Northstar Elementary School ranks worse than 74.5% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.9. (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 (87.4%), two or more races (5.8%), Hispanic (4.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 52.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Northstar Elementary School is 14.4. (See more...)

Compare Northstar Elementary School employs 23.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Northstar Elementary School is $13,116.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Knoxville Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Knoxville Community School District 261^st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Northstar Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	57.84	299^th	626	52.2%
2013	57.56	303^rd	624	51.4%
2014	56.55	313^th	603	48.1%
2015	33.03	483^rd	616	21.6%
2016	40.60	431^st	599	28.0%
2017	42.66	400^th	574	30.3%
2018	46.07	363^rd	567	36.0%
2019	37.79	417^th	603	30.8%
2021	31.04	435^th	567	23.3%
2022	34.26	422^nd	574	26.5%
2023	26.70	455^th	565	19.5%
2024	34.90	415^th	557	25.5%

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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Enrollment information for Northstar Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2011	473	1	4	20	2	0	6	506
2012	484	4	3	18	1	1	8	519
2013	467	6	3	21	0	2	6	505
2014	458	6	0	18	0	2	13	497
2015	481	5	0	17	0	2	16	521
2016	476	5	2	16	2	0	14	515
2017	363	7	2	12	0	0	11	395
2018	375	5	3	15	0	0	14	412
2019	361	1	4	14	0	0	14	394
2020	346	2	1	18	1	0	14	382
2021	302	3	0	16	1	0	9	331
2022	292	0	1	19	2	0	16	330
2023	305	2	1	13	1	1	18	341
2024	299	3	2	16	1	1	20	342

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 Northstar Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2011	506	33.0	15.3	45.1
2012	519	31.7	16.3	46.2
2013	505	31.7	15.9	46.7
2014	497	31.7	15.6	49.5
2015	521	32.0	16.2	45.5
2016	515	32.0	16.0	44.1
2017	395	26.0	15.1	46.8
2018	412	25.6	16.0	44.2
2019	394	25.7	15.3	49.2
2020	382	25.6	14.9	53.4
2021	331	24.5	13.4	45
2022	330	24.5	13.4	47.6
2023	341	24.5	13.8	55.4
2024	342	23.6	14.4	52.6

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 Northstar Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2011	506	33.0	15.3	45.1
2012	519	31.7	16.3	46.2
2013	505	31.7	15.9	46.7
2014	497	31.7	15.6	49.5
2015	521	32.0	16.2	45.5
2016	515	32.0	16.0	44.1
2017	395	26.0	15.1	46.8
2018	412	25.6	16.0	44.2
2019	394	25.7	15.3	49.2
2020	382	25.6	14.9	53.4
2021	331	24.5	13.4	45
2022	330	24.5	13.4	47.6
2023	341	24.5	13.8	55.4
2024	342	23.6	14.4	52.6

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 Northstar Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$644 (4.9%)	$12,471 (95.1%)	$13,116

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Northstar 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 417^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 455^th of 565 Elementary schools	11.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Northstar Elementary School)	37.5	47.2	9.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Knoxville Community School District)	37.5	47.2	9.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Northstar Elementary School)	50	64	14%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Knoxville Community School District)	50	64	14%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Northstar Elementary School)	59.4	60.7	1.3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Knoxville Community School District)	59.4	60.7	1.3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Northstar Elementary School)	65	63.4	1.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Knoxville Community School District)	65	63.4	1.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Northstar Elementary School)	74.6	53.5	21.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Knoxville Community School District)	74.6	53.5	21.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Northstar Elementary School)	89.7	66.7	23%
5th Grade Mathematics (Knoxville Community School District)	89.7	66.7	23%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	394	341	13.5%
African American	1	2	100%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	4	1	75%
Hispanic	14	13	7.1%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	361	305	15.5%
Two or More Races	14	18	28.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	49.2%	55.4%	6.2%

Schools Near Northstar Elementary School

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
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
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
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
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
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	1111 North Main Street	Pella	50219	Marion County	Pella Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 628-3970	334	24	14.0	13.8%	292 (87.4%)	2 (0.6%)	13 (3.9%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.4%)	13 (3.9%)								(n/a)	83.9				91.9					$9,627	$201	$9,425
Madison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	950 E. University St.	Pella	50219	Marion County	Pella Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 628-4638	486	34	14.1	24.1%	428 (88.1%)	8 (1.6%)	27 (5.6%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.1%)								(n/a)	70.5				82.9					$10,607	$378	$10,228
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
Monroe Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	400 N Jasper	Monroe	50170	Jasper County	PCM Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 994-8222	192	17	11.3	31.8%	183 (95.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.6%)								(n/a)	42.9				57.1					$13,431	$534	$12,897
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Northstar Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Northstar Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Knoxville Middle School
High : Knoxville High School

Is Northstar Elementary School a good school?

Northstar Elementary School ranks 415^th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Northstar Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 342 students attended Northstar Elementary School.

What district is Northstar Elementary School in?

Knoxville Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Northstar Elementary School?

Students at Northstar Elementary School are 87% White, 6% Two or more races, 5% 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.