For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 652 students in Independence Community School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Independence Community School District have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
4 Schools
924 Schools
# Students
1,415 Students
320,020 Students
# Teachers
102 Teachers
23,100 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Independence Community School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#126 out of 327 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
76%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%
Graduation Rate
82%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.18
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
4%
13%
% Black
1%
7%
% White
90%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,189 in this school district is less than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,182 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$23 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$22 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,189
$16,468
Spending / Student
$15,182
$16,042
Best Independence Community School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1301 1st St W
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7430
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7430
Gr: 3-6 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
1103 First Street West
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7425
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7425
Gr: K-2 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Recent Articles

2025 Classroom Size Trends: Are Classes Still Growing?
A 2025 update on U.S. classroom sizes, policy battles, student outcomes, and whether class sizes continue to expand.

Personalized Learning in 2025: Revolutionizing Education
Explore how personalized learning is reshaping education in 2025—insights, policy, impact, and real-world models for students, parents, and educators.

How Bullying Impacts Student Academic Performance in 2025
Explore how bullying harms student achievement, attendance, and well-being — and strategies schools use in 2025 to mitigate its effects.