Average
#765 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
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#765 of 1,280
In North Liberty
#7 of 7
public schools
In district
#15 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
Shortlisting around Buford Garner Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Buford Garner Elementary
Elementary School in North Liberty · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Penn Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Heritage Christian School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Buford Garner Elementary
Buford Garner Elementary is a public elementary school in North Liberty, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. Buford Garner Elementary serves approximately 449 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Buford Garner Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #765 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Buford Garner Elementary show 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buford Garner Elementary — Students at Buford Garner Elementary score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
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 33 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: 6.4/10.
How Buford Garner Elementary Compares
See how Buford Garner Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Wickham Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Coralville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Penn Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Hill Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Tiffin), 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 | 8.6 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Liberty | 0.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Christine Grant Elementary North Liberty | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| North Central Junior High School North Liberty | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Liberty High School North Liberty | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| North Bend Elementary North Liberty | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville | 2.8 mi | — |
| Wickham Elementary Coralville | 2.8 mi | 8.7 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville | 3.7 mi | — |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin | 3.3 mi | 8.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin | 3.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville | 4.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville | 4.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville | 5.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin | 4.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Clear Creek Amana High School Tiffin | 4.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 5.8 mi | 6.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant, IA | 6.0 |
| Demoney Elementary Estherville, IA | 6.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 6.0 |
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 ranks #765 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Buford Garner Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Garner Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buford Garner Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Buford Garner Elementary has 76% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.9%
- Phone
- (319) 688-1190
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #15 of 29
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.