United Community School

Summary:

United Community School is an elementary school located in Boone, Iowa, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 361 students. The school is part of the United Community School District, which is ranked 295 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

United Community School's test scores show some strengths and weaknesses compared to nearby schools. In 2023-2024, the school had higher proficiency rates than the Ames Community School District in 5th grade English Language Arts (73% vs. 81.4%) and 5th grade Mathematics (64.9% vs. 79.5%). However, the school struggled in 3rd grade English Language Arts (48.3% vs. 64.2% statewide) and 3rd grade Mathematics (51.7% vs. 76.3% statewide). United Community School's spending per student, at $14,969 in 2018-2019, is higher than the nearby Gilbert Community School District schools but lower than some Ames schools.

United Community School has seen a significant decline in its statewide ranking, from 23rd out of 599 Iowa elementary schools in 2015-2016 to 458th out of 557 in 2023-2024. This suggests the school may be facing challenges in maintaining consistent academic achievement. The nearby Gilbert Elementary and Gilbert Intermediate schools consistently outperform United Community School on state assessments, with proficiency rates over 90% in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

1284 U Ave
Boone, IA 50036-0589

(515) 432-5319

District: United Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
458^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,969

Student/teacher ratio: 12.8

Number of students: 331

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.7%

Hispanic:

5.7%

African American:

2.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 19%

See top rated Iowa elementary schools

Compare United Community School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details United Community School ranks worse than 82.2% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.51. (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 (89.7%), Hispanic (5.7%), African American (2.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 19% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at United Community School is 12.8. (See more...)

Compare United Community School employs 25.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at United Community School is $14,969.

Schooldigger Rankings:

United Community School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

United Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks United Community School District 295^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

What do you think?

Your rating for United Community School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for United Community School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	60.43	270^th	626	56.9%
2013	76.40	76^th	624	87.8%
2014	68.09	191^st	603	68.3%
2015	78.01	84^th	616	86.4%
2016	85.52	23^rd	599	96.2%
2017	72.45	147^th	574	74.4%
2018	65.38	207^th	567	63.5%
2019	37.77	418^th	603	30.7%
2021	83.60	61^st	567	89.2%
2022	75.79	113^th	574	80.3%
2023	51.23	319^th	565	43.5%
2024	24.51	458^th	557	17.8%

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

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for United Community School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about United Community School, submit a rating!

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for United Community School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	183	1	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	188
1989	188	2	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	190
1990	198	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	198
1991	217	1	0	0	4	n/a	n/a	0	222
1992	212	1	0	0	3	n/a	n/a	0	216
1993	383	1	0	0	2	n/a	n/a	0	386
1994	346	1	0	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	351
1995	368	2	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	374
1996	368	2	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	374
1997	366	3	5	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	376
1998	339	7	4	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	351
1999	352	1	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	355
2000	369	7	3	3	2	n/a	n/a	-14	370
2001	372	9	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	385
2002	320	13	2	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	341
2003	320	13	2	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	341
2004	293	3	2	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	308
2005	292	16	2	17	2	n/a	n/a	0	329
2006	271	12	1	19	1	n/a	n/a	0	304
2007	265	12	4	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	297
2008	302	22	3	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	343
2009	146	13	4	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	171
2010	77	4	2	6	0	0	1	0	90
2011	103	7	2	9	0	0	4	0	125
2012	90	5	0	7	0	0	4	0	106
2013	101	9	0	9	1	0	3	0	123
2014	112	9	0	10	0	0	9	0	140
2015	115	7	1	8	0	0	6	0	137
2016	124	5	1	12	0	0	4	0	146
2017	149	3	3	15	1	0	8	0	179
2018	139	4	1	17	0	0	5	0	166
2019	153	2	1	14	1	0	1	0	172
2020	150	3	0	12	1	0	2	0	168
2021	160	2	0	8	0	0	3	0	173
2022	340	4	2	22	0	0	8	0	376
2023	319	5	3	23	0	0	11	0	361
2024	297	7	1	19	0	0	7	0	331

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 United Community School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	188	13.0	14.4	10.6
1989	190	13.5	14.0	1.1
1990	198	15.5	12.7	0
1991	222	16.7	13.2	8.1
1992	216	18.0	12.0	4.2
1993	386	26.4	14.6	15
1994	351	26.6	13.2	13.4
1995	374	28.7	13.0	13.4
1996	374	28.7	13.0	13.4
1997	376	28.1	13.4	15.4
1998	351	27.9	12.6	19.4
1999	355	29.3	12.1	19.2
2000	370	31.6	11.7	24
2001	385	33.2	11.6	23.9
2002	341	28.7	11.9	25.2
2003	341	28.7	11.9	25.2
2004	308	26.2	11.8	25.6
2005	329	25.6	12.9	29.8
2006	304	25.0	12.2	28.6
2007	297	24.5	12.1	34.3
2008	343	26.0	13.2	31.2
2009	171	15.7	10.9	32.2
2010	90	10.4	8.6	32.2
2011	125	12.4	10.0	36
2012	106	11.6	9.1	21.7
2013	123	11.6	10.5	23.6
2014	140	11.1	12.5	30.7
2015	137	10.0	13.7	25.5
2016	146	10.0	14.6	30.8
2017	179	12.3	14.5	30.2
2018	166	15.4	10.7	30.1
2019	172	14.5	11.8	32
2020	168	13.7	12.2	27.4
2021	173	11.4	15.1	23.1
2022	376	23.5	15.9	15.2
2023	361	24.2	14.9	22.4
2024	331	25.8	12.8	19

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 United Community School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	188	13.0	14.4	10.6
1989	190	13.5	14.0	1.1
1990	198	15.5	12.7	0
1991	222	16.7	13.2	8.1
1992	216	18.0	12.0	4.2
1993	386	26.4	14.6	15
1994	351	26.6	13.2	13.4
1995	374	28.7	13.0	13.4
1996	374	28.7	13.0	13.4
1997	376	28.1	13.4	15.4
1998	351	27.9	12.6	19.4
1999	355	29.3	12.1	19.2
2000	370	31.6	11.7	24
2001	385	33.2	11.6	23.9
2002	341	28.7	11.9	25.2
2003	341	28.7	11.9	25.2
2004	308	26.2	11.8	25.6
2005	329	25.6	12.9	29.8
2006	304	25.0	12.2	28.6
2007	297	24.5	12.1	34.3
2008	343	26.0	13.2	31.2
2009	171	15.7	10.9	32.2
2010	90	10.4	8.6	32.2
2011	125	12.4	10.0	36
2012	106	11.6	9.1	21.7
2013	123	11.6	10.5	23.6
2014	140	11.1	12.5	30.7
2015	137	10.0	13.7	25.5
2016	146	10.0	14.6	30.8
2017	179	12.3	14.5	30.2
2018	166	15.4	10.7	30.1
2019	172	14.5	11.8	32
2020	168	13.7	12.2	27.4
2021	173	11.4	15.1	23.1
2022	376	23.5	15.9	15.2
2023	361	24.2	14.9	22.4
2024	331	25.8	12.8	19

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 United Community School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$674 (4.5%)	$14,296 (95.5%)	$14,969

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on United Community 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 418^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 319^th of 565 Elementary schools	12.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (United Community School)	41	44	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (United Community School District)	41	44	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (United Community School)	69.2	68	1.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (United Community School District)	69.2	68	1.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (United Community School)	67.6	84.6	17%
4th Grade English Language Arts (United Community School District)	67.6	84.6	17%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (United Community School)	73.5	71.8	1.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (United Community School District)	73.5	71.8	1.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (United Community School)	61.3	74.1	12.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (United Community School District)	61.3	74.1	12.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (United Community School)	67.7	66.7	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (United Community School District)	67.7	66.7	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (United Community School)	47.1	80.8	33.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (United Community School District)	47.1	80.8	33.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (United Community School)	82.4	84.6	2.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (United Community School District)	82.4	84.6	2.2%
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	172	361	109.9%
African American	2	5	150%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	1	3	200%
Hispanic	14	23	64.3%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	153	319	108.5%
Two or More Races	1	11	1000%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	32%	22.4%	9.5%

Schools Near United Community 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
United Community School	Public	PK, KG-6	1284 U Ave	Boone	50036	Boone County	United Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 432-5319	331	26	12.8	19.0%	297 (89.7%)	7 (2.1%)	19 (5.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.1%)	24.5	458^th of 557 public elementary schools	17.8%		51.2	319^th of 565 public elementary schools	43.5%	139	48.3	57.1	73.0	53.8	51.7	57.1	64.9	53.8	48.6	$14,969	$674	$14,296
Ledges Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	1805 Hancock Drive	Boone	50036	Boone County	Boone Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(515) 433-0750	318	29	10.8	41.2%	284 (89.3%)	3 (0.9%)	15 (4.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.4%)								(n/a)
Edwards Elementary School	Public	K-5	820 Miller Ave	Ames	50014	Story County	Ames Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 239-3760	439	34	13.1	43.1%	254 (57.9%)	75 (17.1%)	47 (10.7%)	28 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (8.0%)	56.2	288^th of 557 public elementary schools	48.3%		54.6	287^th of 565 public elementary schools	49.2%	1	81.7	68.7	72.6		80.0	67.5	71.0		64.5	$12,690	$743	$11,949
Sawyer Elementary School	Public	K-5	4316 Ontario St	Ames	50014	Story County	Ames Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 239-3790	375	31	12.2	35.2%	256 (68.3%)	30 (8.0%)	40 (10.7%)	19 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (8.0%)	52.9	313^th of 557 public elementary schools	43.8%		42.7	379^th of 565 public elementary schools	32.9%	66	43.5	71.7	76.9		68.1	73.3	72.3		73.8	$11,702	$347	$11,356
Franklin Elementary School	Public	2-4	1903 Crawford Street	Boone	50036	Boone County	Boone Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 433-0860	338	27	12.5	44.1%	297 (87.9%)	5 (1.5%)	19 (5.6%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.1%)	72.3	137^th of 557 public elementary schools	75.4%		64.8	205^th of 565 public elementary schools	63.7%	68	71.1	83.7			83.5	80.5				$14,326	$1,063	$13,262
Fellows Elementary School	Public	K-5	1235 20th St.	Ames	50010	Story County	Ames Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 239-3765	518	39	13.3	25.1%	315 (60.8%)	29 (5.6%)	60 (11.6%)	76 (14.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (6.8%)	76.5	97^th of 557 public elementary schools	82.6%		79.8	80^th of 565 public elementary schools	85.8%	17	54.8	87.8	91.0		75.3	84.1	91.0		89.9	$12,124	$816	$11,308
Northwood Pre-School	Public	PK-K	3012 Duff Avenue	Ames	50010	Story County	Ames Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 268-2470	249	11	22.7	37.8%	135 (54.2%)	29 (11.6%)	34 (13.7%)	25 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (10.4%)								(n/a)										$19,833	$304	$19,530
Meeker Elementary School	Public	K-5	300 20th Street	Ames	50010	Story County	Ames Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 239-3770	365	31	11.6	38.6%	269 (73.7%)	22 (6.0%)	35 (9.6%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (8.5%)	63.8	216^th of 557 public elementary schools	61.2%		50.5	322^nd of 565 public elementary schools	43.0%	106	73.3	69.0	79.3		75.6	69.0	77.6		82.8	$13,221	$1,032	$12,190
Gilbert Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	109 Rothmoor	Gilbert	50105	Story County	Gilbert Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 232-3744	408	24	16.7	11.5%	340 (83.3%)	6 (1.5%)	23 (5.6%)	17 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.4%)								(n/a)										$12,378	$377	$12,000
Gilbert Intermediate School	Public	3-5	103 Mathews Dr	Gilbert	50105	Story County	Gilbert Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 232-3748	358	21	16.7	10.1%	304 (84.9%)	7 (2.0%)	16 (4.5%)	19 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.4%)	92.8	4^th of 557 public elementary schools	99.3%		91	7^th of 565 public elementary schools	98.8%	3	90.6	92.7	87.8		94.9	95.5	91.9		87.8	$11,603	$317	$11,285

Frequently Asked Questions about United Community School

Is United Community School a good school?

United Community School ranks in the bottom 17.8% of Iowa elementary schools.

How many students attend United Community School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 331 students attended United Community School.

What is the racial makeup of United Community School?

Students at United Community School are 90% White, 6% Hispanic, 2% African American, 2% Two or more races.

What district is United Community School in?

United Community School District

Rate United Community School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

IAIowa Elementary School Rankings

IAIowa District Rankings

Schools in Boone, IA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for United Community School!

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.