Below Average
#1080 of 1,280 schools in IA
Buford Garner Elementary
Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District
80 Birch Street, North Liberty, IA 52317
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Liberty
#6 of 7
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#561 of 662
In district
#23 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Buford Garner Elementary
Buford Garner Elementary is a regular public school located in North Liberty, Iowa, serving students from preschool through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 449 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated staff includes 31 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with families in this mid-size suburb.
Academically, Buford Garner Elementary focuses on fostering a strong foundation for its students. According to state assessments, 67% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 72% excel in Math and 64% meet proficiency standards in Science. While the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 41st percentile among Iowa schools, there is room for continued academic growth and development.
Buford Garner Elementary is situated in a supportive community where educators and parents collaborate to provide a nurturing environment that encourages each student's unique potential. The school’s setting in North Liberty offers easy access to local amenities and resources, making it an integral part of the neighborhood.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Buford Garner Elementary — Students at Buford Garner Elementary score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.4/10.
How Buford Garner Elementary Compares
See how Buford Garner Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
80 Birch Street, North Liberty, IA 52317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buford Garner Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Penn Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY (rated 7.4/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wickham Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Liberty, see our North Liberty schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Penn Elementary School North Liberty | 0.4 mi | 7.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Liberty | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Christine Grant Elementary North Liberty | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| North Central Junior High School North Liberty | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Liberty High School North Liberty | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| North Bend Elementary North Liberty | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville | 2.8 mi | — |
| Wickham Elementary Coralville | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville | 3.7 mi | — |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin | 3.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville | 4.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville | 4.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin | 4.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Clear Creek Amana High School Tiffin | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 5.8 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,156
Median Home Value
$314,700
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
22,392
College Educated
54.1%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buford Garner Elementary has a median household income of $108,156. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,700, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.9 |
| Unity Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.9 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon, IA | 5.0 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA | 5.0 |
| Emerson Elementary School Indianola, IA | 5.0 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buford Garner Elementary
What grades does Buford Garner Elementary serve?
Buford Garner Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Buford Garner Elementary?
Buford Garner Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buford Garner Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buford Garner Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buford Garner Elementary rank in IA?
Buford Garner Elementary is ranked #1080 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Buford Garner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Garner Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Buford Garner Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buford Garner Elementary has 71.6% math proficiency and 67.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buford Garner Elementary a charter school?
No, Buford Garner Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buford Garner Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buford Garner Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buford Garner Elementary?
37.6% of students at Buford Garner Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (467/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Liberty). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 449
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Johnson County
- Phone
- (319) 688-1190
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #23 of 29
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 methodologyRelated reading
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