Top Rankings
Essex Community School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 5%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 215 students in Essex Community School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Essex Community School District have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 8% 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
2 Schools
924 Schools
# Students
215 Students
320,020 Students
# Teachers
18 Teachers
23,100 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Essex Community School District, which is ranked within the top 30% 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 50% has decreased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#59 out of 327 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
76%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
80-84%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
80-89%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥50%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.16
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
5%
13%
% Black
n/a
7%
% White
92%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,167 is higher than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,949 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has declined by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,167
$16,468
Spending / Student
$16,949
$16,042
Best Essex Community School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Essex Junior-senior High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
111 Forbes St
Essex, IA 51638
(712) 379-3115
Essex, IA 51638
(712) 379-3115
Gr: 6-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Essex Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
111 Forbes St
Essex, IA 51638
(712) 379-3114
Essex, IA 51638
(712) 379-3114
Gr: PK-5 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Recent Articles
Gifted & Talented Programs in Public Schools
Explore opportunities and controversies in gifted & talented programs鈥攅quity, outcomes, and models shaping public education in 2025.
Evaluating STEM in Public Schools: A Parent & District Guide
A guide to evaluating STEM programs in public school districts鈥攎etrics, best practices, equity, and 2025 trends for parents and community stakeholders.
Special Education in Public Schools: Understanding IEPs & Services
What parents need to know about IEPs, services, rights, and how to get the best support in public schools in 2025.
