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Very Good

#280 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 22% in state

Buffalo Elementary School

Elementary School · Davenport Comm School District

PO BOX 547 1000 Jefferson Street, Buffalo, IA 52728

Enrollment

276

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#189 of 662

In district

#1 of 26

Davenport Comm School District

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Buffalo Elementary School

Buffalo Elementary School is a rural public school located in Buffalo, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 276 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The teaching staff consists of 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth.

Academically, Buffalo Elementary School scores above average in reading and math proficiency rates at 68% and 72%, respectively, with similar performance in science. While the school’s overall MySchoolScout rating is 5.9 out of 10 and it ranks as #524 among Iowa schools, there's clear potential for continued improvement and development. Situated in a rural area near the town of Buffalo, the school benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its students' growth both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Buffalo Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,796

Buffalo Elementary School — Students at Buffalo Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.6%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
74.5%
ELA
72.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Buffalo Elementary School Compares

See how Buffalo Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in IA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

PO BOX 547 1000 Jefferson Street, Buffalo, IA 52728

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buffalo Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rock Island Academy (rated 6.8/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Rock Island), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ridgewood Elem School (rated 6.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Rock Island), a more accessible option. Additionally, Walcott Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Walcott), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Andalusia Elem School Andalusia 1.7 mi 5.4
Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass 4.1 mi 5.1
Rockridge High School Taylor Ridge 5.7 mi 7.0
Rockridge Jr High School Taylor Ridge 5.7 mi 5.9
Taylor Ridge Elem School Taylor Ridge 5.9 mi 4.2
Jackson Elementary School Davenport 6.2 mi 4.2
Hayes Elementary School Davenport 6.3 mi 3.6
Children's Village Hayes Davenport 6.3 mi
West High School Davenport 7.2 mi 5.6
Wilson Elementary School Davenport 7.5 mi 5.5
Walcott Elementary School Walcott 8.8 mi 6.2
Walcott Intermediate Walcott 8.8 mi 6.4
Frank L Smart Intermediate Davenport 7.5 mi 3.5
Earl H Hanson Elem School Rock Island 7.1 mi 4.8
Edison Jr High School Rock Island 7.2 mi 5.3
Children's Village West Davenport 7.9 mi 5.5
Frances Willard Elem School Rock Island 7.4 mi 5.0
Ridgewood Elem School Rock Island 7.7 mi 6.3
Rock Island High School Rock Island 7.8 mi 4.3
Rock Island Academy Rock Island 8.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52728 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,318

Median Home Value

$118,300

Median Rent

$812/mo

Population

987

College Educated

9.8%

Homeownership

78.5%

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

38.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buffalo Elementary School has a median household income of $74,318. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,300, with a median rent of $812/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Franklin Elementary School Boone, IA 7.4
Keota Elementary School Keota, IA 7.4
Meeker Elementary School Ames, IA 7.4
Mulberry Elementary School Muscatine, IA 7.4
Runnells Elementary Runnels, IA 7.4
SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buffalo Elementary School

What grades does Buffalo Elementary School serve?

Buffalo Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Buffalo Elementary School?

Buffalo Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 276 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buffalo Elementary School rank in IA?

Buffalo Elementary School is ranked #280 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Buffalo Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buffalo Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Elementary School has 71.6% math proficiency and 68.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buffalo Elementary School a charter school?

No, Buffalo Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Buffalo Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Buffalo Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Elementary School?

45.7% of students at Buffalo Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Low (173/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Scott County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Davenport Comm School District
District Enrollment
13,523
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,393
District Rank
#1 of 26

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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