The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Math. The lowest is 73% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Nodaway Valley Elementary School
Nodaway Valley Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Greenfield, Iowa, the county seat of Adair County. It is the only elementary school in the Nodaway Valley Community School District, a consolidated rural district that draws students from several surrounding communities. The school’s enrollment is moderate for its grade band, and the student body is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic population and even smaller numbers of students from other racial groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a significant number of families with lower household incomes.
On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for the 2024-25 school year, the school’s results are a clear strength. In math, the large majority of students scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, proficiency was also solid, though a bit lower than math. In science, the proficiency rate was strong as well. Participation was universal across all tested subjects. Because this is a single year of data, there is no multi-year trend to show whether these results reflect a consistent pattern or a recent high. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages performance across subjects, places it near the lower end when compared to the average of the two school districts in Adair County. That comparison should be taken with caution, as it involves only two districts and is not a direct school-to-school comparison.
As an elementary school, there is no graduation rate, and chronic absenteeism data was not reported. No information on discipline, course access, staffing, or program offerings was available in the data provided. A parent may want to ask the school directly about special education services, enrichment opportunities, and class sizes.
Greenfield is a compact, walkable small town with a historic Lancaster-style town square, civic buildings, parks, and a network of walking trails. The local economy includes manufacturing anchors such as Cardinal Glass, healthcare through the county health system, and agriculture. The town experienced a devastating tornado in May 2024 that heavily damaged or destroyed many homes, and recovery and rebuilding are the dominant community story. Housing values are below the state median, which may make the area more affordable for families. The district has had no recent major changes that would affect parents, such as new facilities or boundary adjustments, within the last four years.
For a family considering Nodaway Valley Elementary, the academic picture is one of solid proficiency rates in core subjects, with math standing out as a particular strength. The school serves a community that is economically diverse, with a notable share of students from lower-income households. The setting is a tight-knit, small-town environment with active civic life and ongoing recovery from a natural disaster. The lack of multi-year academic data and limited program information means a visit and conversation with the school would be important to understand enrichment, support services, and the current school climate.
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