Summary:
The 50237 zip code is home to a single standout elementary school, Runnells Elementary, which serves grades PK-5 and is part of the Southeast Polk Community School District. With a total enrollment of 276 students, Runnells Elementary has consistently ranked among the top 21 elementary schools in Iowa over the past 3 school years, achieving a ranking of 7 out of 576 schools for the 2024-2025 school year.
Runnells Elementary's academic excellence is evident in its students' exceptional performance on ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) tests, significantly outpacing the district and state averages in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For instance, in 2024-2025, 96.4% of 4th graders were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 82.6% for the district and 76% for the state. Additionally, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 17:1, providing students with a more personalized learning environment.
While Runnells Elementary's academic achievements are impressive, the school also serves a diverse student population, with 33.7% of its students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in 2023-2024, indicating a significant population of economically disadvantaged students. The school's higher-than-average spending per student, at $14,164 for the 2018-2019 school year, suggests a strong investment in educational resources and programs to support the needs of all students. However, the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 21.6% in 2023-2024, while lower than the district average, remains an area for improvement to ensure consistent attendance and academic success.
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