Top Rankings
Essex Comm 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 2026 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 188 students in Essex Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in Essex Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,322 Schools
# Students
188 Students
497,791 Students
# Teachers
16 Teachers
35,023 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Essex Comm 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%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)20.4%
24.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.20
0.48
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
3%
% Hispanic
7%
14%
% Black
n/a
7%
% White
89%
70%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $21,920 is higher than the state median of $16,596. The school district revenue/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,383 is higher than the state median of $16,167. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$4 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$4 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$21,920
$16,596
Spending / Student
$19,383
$16,167
Best Essex Comm School District Public Schools (2026)
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 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 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 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Essex Comm School District?
Essex Comm School District manages 2 public schools serving 188 students.
What is the rank of Essex Comm School District?
Essex Comm School District is ranked #77 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%), Highest science proficiency (Top 5%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Essex Comm School District?
89% of Essex Comm School District students are White, 7% of students are Hispanic, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Essex Comm School District?
Essex Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is Essex Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $19,383 is higher than the state median of $16,167. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
