Hawkeye Reporter

West Bend-Mallard Elementary School in West Bend has received top honors in the Hawkeye State and was named the best elementary school out of hundreds of K-8 public schools in the state. 

The U.S. News & World Report ranked West Bend-Mallard Elementary as the top elementary school in the state of Iowa, according to WHO 13. The rankings were just released this moth. 

"Hey Iowa friends check this out!!!" Linda Darling, a West Des Moines resident, posted on Facebook when she shared a story about West Bend-Mallard Elementary School receiving the top honors. 

The ranking is based on the school's performance when it comes to state required tests, graduation and how well the teachers prepare their students to enter high school, WHO 13 reported. The school plans to celebrate the accomplishment by taking students to see a holiday movie. 

U.S. News & World Report ranked about 940 K-8 public schools in Iowa. West Bend-Mallard has approximately 140 students from pre-K through fourth grade. The school has a 17-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio with about 10% of the student body being of color, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

Of the students at West Bend-Mallard Elementary School, 95% scored at or above the proficient level for both math and reading, according to U.S. News & World Report.