The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Math. The lowest is 59% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Glidden-ralston Elementary School
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School is a regular public school serving students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Glidden, Iowa, part of the Glidden-Ralston Community School District. The school shares a single building with the district’s middle and high school, meaning students in this small rural community move through all grades in one familiar setting.
On state assessments administered through the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, Glidden-Ralston Elementary showed strong results in math and English language arts, with proficiency rates well above the midpoint among the four school districts in Carroll County. Science proficiency was lower, a difference a parent may want to understand further by asking the school about curriculum or support in that subject. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects, a composite measure, also placed above the midpoint relative to other districts in the county. Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate, and data on chronic absenteeism was not reported.
The student body is small for its grade band, drawing from Glidden and the nearby town of Ralston. The enrollment is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic population and a very small number of students identifying as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a degree of economic diversity. Information on the percentage of students receiving special education services or designated as English learners was not available from the data provided.
Glidden itself is a small, primarily residential rural town in Carroll County, located on US Highway 30 between Carroll and Jefferson. It has a strong German heritage and describes itself as a family-focused, progressive, and tradition-oriented community. The town has experienced modest population decline in recent years. Housing values in the area are below national benchmarks, and an estimated monthly mortgage payment based on current rates would be moderate relative to incomes. The median home value locally is lower than the state median, and the cost of living is below the national average. The town’s compact footprint means the school, city hall, library, parks, an aquatic center, and a wellness center are all within close proximity, reinforcing a walkable small-town civic life. No major new housing developments or growth projects were identified in publicly available sources, and the population trajectory appears stable to slightly declining.
The Glidden-Ralston Community School District itself has undergone no recent high-profile changes—no evidence of referendums, curriculum shifts, or property tax adjustments surfaced in available public records. That stability may appeal to families looking for consistency in a small district.
For a parent or resident evaluating this school, the picture is one of strong foundational academic performance in reading and math, housed in a small, rural, and tight-knit community. The lower science result is a point to investigate but does not overshadow the core strengths. The school serves a largely homogeneous student population with moderate economic need. Families considering a move to the area will find relatively affordable housing in a town that is family-oriented but slowly shrinking. The school district’s single-building model offers continuity from elementary through high school, which can be a draw for those who value a close community environment.
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