At a glance
Reported students
369
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
23.06
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
61st percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
426
Whittier Elementary School: 369 reported students.
State peer staffing position
92nd percentile
16:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 287
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24.12
- Student–teacher ratio
- 11.9:1
What the reported data says about Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Indianola. It is one of 6 current school records connected to Indianola Comm School District. NCES reports 369 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 61st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16:1, above the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (85.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (7.6%). English learners represent 0.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 15.3%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Whittier Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 16:1 student–teacher ratio and 23.06 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 15.3%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 31.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White85.6%
- Hispanic7.6%
- Black0.5%
- Asian0.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial6%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Indianola Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Irving Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
395 reported students
Emerson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
396 reported students
Wilder Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
456 reported students
Indianola Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
818 reported students
Indianola High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,165 reported students
Public schools near Whittier Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irving Elementary School Elementary · Indianola Comm School District | KG–05 | 395 | 0.6 mi |
| Wilder Elementary School Elementary · Indianola Comm School District | KG–05 | 456 | 0.7 mi |
| Emerson Elementary School Elementary · Indianola Comm School District | KG–05 | 396 | 1.6 mi |
| Martensdale-St. Marys Elementary School Elementary · Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District | PK–06 | 307 | 8.4 mi |
| Southeast Warren Primary Elementary · Southeast Warren Comm School District | PK–04 | 162 | 8.5 mi |
| Oviatt Elementary School Elementary · Norwalk Comm School District | PK–01 | 548 | 9.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Whittier Elementary School
What grades does Whittier Elementary School serve?
Whittier Elementary School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Indianola Comm School District.
How many students attend Whittier Elementary School?
Whittier Elementary School reported 369 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 61st percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 287 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Whittier Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 16:1, based on 369 students and 23.06 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 13.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Whittier Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Whittier Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Indianola Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Whittier Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
31.2% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Whittier Elementary School in?
Whittier Elementary School is part of Indianola Comm School District, based in Indianola, IA, which operates 6 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Whittier Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Irving Elementary School (0.6 mi), Wilder Elementary School (0.7 mi), Emerson Elementary School (1.6 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.