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Schools in Slater · Ballard Community School District

Slater’s public schools outscore 90% of Iowa districts

On the state math tests, 80% of Slater’s students scored proficient, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Slater, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
80%
▲ 10 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
80%
▲ 16 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.4K
▼ 10% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.6
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
1,872 students on the public path
In brief

Slater’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 80% and math 80% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,410 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Ballard East Elementary, then Ballard Middle School, then Ballard High School. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Slater’s grade

A Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 90% of Iowa school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 90%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (321)Better than 88%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,223 test results and a graduating class of 136 could put Slater anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Slater’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,223 in math, 1,223 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Slater, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–2Ballard West ElementaryBallard Community School DistrictNo scores
3–5Ballard East Elementaryin CambridgeA−
6–8Ballard Middle Schoolin HuxleyA
9–12Ballard High Schoolin HuxleyB+

Slater’s public schools are run by Ballard Community School District, which also serves Cambridge, Huxley and Kelley. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Ballard Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,872 students, up 8% since 2020–21 · 14.6 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,410IA $13,713 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading80%
State average 69.7% · 1223 students tested
Math80%
State average 63.8% · 1223 students tested

Slater vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Slater’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SlaterABallard

Every school in Slater

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Slaterby address
Ballard West Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–2
451 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Slaterin other towns
Ballard East Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Cambridge
A−
417 students13:1Rate it →
Ballard Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Huxley
A
418 students15:1Rate it →
Ballard High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Huxley
B+
586 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Slater’s schools

Are Slater’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Slater children attend outscore 90% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Slater in?

Ballard Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,872 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Slater kids go to high school?

Ballard High School in Huxley, with 586 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Slater’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Ballard Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Slater spend per student?

$12,410 in Ballard Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Slater families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Slater → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.