Van Meter Elementary School

Summary:

Van Meter Elementary School is a highly-ranked public elementary school serving 571 students in grades PK-5 in the Van Meter Community School District in Van Meter, Iowa. The school consistently outperforms the state average on academic assessments and has been ranked among the top 5% of Iowa elementary schools for several years.

Van Meter Elementary School stands out for its strong academic performance, with over 80% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and over 90% proficient or better in Mathematics, significantly exceeding the state averages. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio and a low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which is lower than nearby schools in the Waukee Community School District.

While Van Meter Elementary outperforms the state, some nearby schools in the Waukee district, such as Shuler Elementary and Brookview Elementary, also have strong academic performance and high rankings, suggesting that both the Van Meter and Waukee districts are providing excellent educational opportunities for their students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 520 1st Ave
       Van Meter, IA  50261


(515) 996-2221

District: Van Meter Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
28th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,667 Help


Students who attend Van Meter Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Van Meter Middle School
High:    Van Meter High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.1 Help
Number of students:  571

Racial breakdown:

White:
92.6%
Hispanic:
3.2%
Two or more races:
3.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  6.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Van Meter Elementary School ranks better than 95% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 86.86. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (92.6%), Hispanic (3.2%), two or more races (3.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 6.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Van Meter Elementary School is 16.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Van Meter Elementary School employs 35.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Van Meter Elementary School is $11,667.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Van Meter Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Van Meter Community School District 4th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Van Meter Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 54.08 344th 626 45.0%
2013 76.33 78th 624 87.5%
2014 67.43 201st 603 66.7%
2015 76.95 98th 616 84.1%
2016 71.34 157th 599 73.8%
2017 81.20 55th 574 90.4%
2018 78.97 77th 567 86.4%
2019 90.02 19th 603 96.8%
2021 90.97 15th 567 97.4%
2022 90.58 16th 574 97.2%
2023 90.18 11th 565 98.1%
2024 86.86 28th 557 95.0%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Van Meter 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 Van Meter 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 231 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 233
1989 226 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 228
1990 226 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 226
1991 203 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 204
1992 217 0 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 220
1993 219 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 221
1994 215 0 1 4 0 n/a n/a 0 220
1995 225 1 4 6 0 n/a n/a 0 236
1996 225 1 4 6 0 n/a n/a 0 236
1997 243 2 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 252
1998 252 2 4 6 0 n/a n/a 0 264
1999 270 8 3 3 1 n/a n/a 0 285
2000 283 6 2 3 0 n/a n/a -13 281
2001 266 4 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 275
2002 271 2 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 278
2003 271 2 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 278
2004 282 2 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 288
2005 301 1 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 306
2006 324 0 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 328
2007 325 4 4 2 2 n/a n/a 0 337
2008 331 4 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 340
2009 317 4 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 326
2010 296 1 0 4 1 1 0 0 303
2011 301 1 0 4 1 1 0 0 308
2012 257 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 262
2013 269 1 0 5 3 0 0 0 278
2014 268 2 0 5 3 0 0 0 278
2015 281 2 1 3 2 0 0 0 289
2016 312 5 1 10 2 1 0 0 331
2017 316 4 2 11 1 1 1 0 336
2018 361 4 3 11 1 1 5 0 386
2019 384 5 3 12 1 1 8 0 414
2020 421 4 3 10 2 1 8 0 449
2021 482 5 2 11 1 0 12 0 513
2022 508 3 3 14 1 0 13 0 542
2023 529 3 2 18 1 0 18 0 571

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 Van Meter Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 233 13.0 17.9 n/a
1989 228 1.3 175.3 11.4
1990 226 12.4 18.2 0
1991 204 12.0 17.0 12.3
1992 220 14.0 15.7 9.5
1993 221 16.4 13.5 10.4
1994 220 17.8 12.4 14.1
1995 236 15.0 15.7 11.4
1996 236 15.0 15.7 11.4
1997 252 15.7 16.1 11.1
1998 264 15.7 16.8 11.4
1999 285 19.9 14.3 10.2
2000 281 20.1 14.0 8.2
2001 275 21.8 12.6 11.3
2002 278 21.5 12.9 10.8
2003 278 21.5 12.9 10.8
2004 288 20.3 14.2 8.7
2005 306 22.3 13.7 10.8
2006 328 24.1 13.6 14.3
2007 337 24.7 13.6 13.6
2008 340 25.6 13.3 16.2
2009 326 24.8 13.1 16
2010 303 23.7 12.7 12.9
2011 308 19.8 15.5 14
2012 262 18.6 14.0 14.9
2013 278 18.1 15.3 15.8
2014 278 17.8 15.6 18.7
2015 289 21.0 13.7 13.8
2016 331 24.0 13.7 13.9
2017 336 25.4 13.1 10.7
2018 386 26.8 14.4 10.1
2019 414 25.9 15.9 10.1
2020 449 27.8 16.1 10.7
2021 513 32.5 15.7 7
2022 542 35.3 15.3 7.2
2023 571 35.4 16.1 6.5

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 Van Meter Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 233 13.0 17.9 n/a
1989 228 1.3 175.3 11.4
1990 226 12.4 18.2 0
1991 204 12.0 17.0 12.3
1992 220 14.0 15.7 9.5
1993 221 16.4 13.5 10.4
1994 220 17.8 12.4 14.1
1995 236 15.0 15.7 11.4
1996 236 15.0 15.7 11.4
1997 252 15.7 16.1 11.1
1998 264 15.7 16.8 11.4
1999 285 19.9 14.3 10.2
2000 281 20.1 14.0 8.2
2001 275 21.8 12.6 11.3
2002 278 21.5 12.9 10.8
2003 278 21.5 12.9 10.8
2004 288 20.3 14.2 8.7
2005 306 22.3 13.7 10.8
2006 328 24.1 13.6 14.3
2007 337 24.7 13.6 13.6
2008 340 25.6 13.3 16.2
2009 326 24.8 13.1 16
2010 303 23.7 12.7 12.9
2011 308 19.8 15.5 14
2012 262 18.6 14.0 14.9
2013 278 18.1 15.3 15.8
2014 278 17.8 15.6 18.7
2015 289 21.0 13.7 13.8
2016 331 24.0 13.7 13.9
2017 336 25.4 13.1 10.7
2018 386 26.8 14.4 10.1
2019 414 25.9 15.9 10.1
2020 449 27.8 16.1 10.7
2021 513 32.5 15.7 7
2022 542 35.3 15.3 7.2
2023 571 35.4 16.1 6.5

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 Van Meter Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $403 (3.5%) $11,263 (96.5%) $11,667

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Van Meter 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 19th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 11th of 565 Elementary schools
 1.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Van Meter Elementary School)86.887.7
 0.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Van Meter Community School District)86.887.7
 0.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Van Meter Elementary School)88.296.3
 8.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Van Meter Community School District)88.296.3
 8.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Van Meter Elementary School)88.597.6
 9.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Van Meter Community School District)88.597.6
 9.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Van Meter Elementary School)90.291.5
 1.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Van Meter Community School District)90.291.5
 1.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Van Meter Elementary School)93.293.3
 0.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Van Meter Community School District)93.293.3
 0.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Van Meter Elementary School)88.186.5
 1.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Van Meter Community School District)88.186.5
 1.6%
   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 Students414571
 37.9%
African American53
 40%
American Indian11
Asian32
 33.3%
Hispanic1218
 50%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White384529
 37.8%
Two or More Races818
 125%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients10.1%6.5%
 3.7%


Schools Near Van Meter Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Van Meter Elementary School

Students who attend Van Meter Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Van Meter Middle School
High : Van Meter High School

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

In the 2022-23 school year, 571 students attended Van Meter Elementary School.

Yes. Van Meter Elementary School ranks in the top 5.0% of Iowa elementary schools.


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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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