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Excellent

#4 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 1% in state

Cal Elementary School

Elementary School · CAL Comm School District

1441 Gull Ave, Latimer, IA 50452

Enrollment

181

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

9.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#4 of 1,280

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Cal Elementary School

9.7/10

Elementary School in Latimer · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Pauls Lutheran School

6.5/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hampton-dumont High School

4.9/10

8.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cal Elementary School

Cal Elementary School is a public elementary school in Latimer, IA, part of CAL Comm School District. Cal Elementary School serves approximately 181 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cal Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.7 out of 10 and ranks #4 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Cal Elementary School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.2 pts above IA schools
  • This school 9.7 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 181 students, Cal Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Cal Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+1.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Overall Proficiency85% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,511
Chronic Absenteeism23.8%

Cal Elementary School — Students at Cal Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.7% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 68.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 34 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2017
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
87.4%
ELA
83.2%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Cal Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.7/10
100th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1441 Gull Ave, Latimer, IA 50452

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cal Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rock Run Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Iowa Falls), with a comparable rating. Another option is Alden Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Alden), a more accessible option. Additionally, The Cougars Den (rated 8.1/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Ackley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Latimer, see our Latimer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer 0.9 mi 6.5
Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton 8.1 mi 4.9
North Side Elementary School Hampton 8.3 mi 5.7
South Side Elementary School Hampton 8.6 mi 5.3
Hampton-Dumont Middle School Hampton 8.7 mi 5.1
West Fork Middle School Sheffield 12.6 mi 7.1
West Fork High School Sheffield 12.7 mi 5.8
Alden Elementary School Alden 16.2 mi 8.2
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls 15.7 mi 5.3
Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls 16.2 mi 9.1
Riverbend Middle School Iowa Falls 16.4 mi 7.4
Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls 16.7 mi 5.2
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond 13.7 mi 7.7
Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond 13.8 mi 4.1
Belmond-Klemme Alternative School Belmond 14.0 mi
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 18.4 mi 5.2
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion 17.8 mi 6.4
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion 18.3 mi 4.8
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion 18.3 mi 7.0
The Cougars Den Ackley 21.2 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50452 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,500

Median Home Value

$108,100

Median Rent

$1,016/mo

Population

990

College Educated

20.8%

Homeownership

64.8%

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron, IA 9.6
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma, IA 9.6
Parkersburg Elementary School Parkersburg, IA 9.6
New Albin Elementary School Lansing, IA 9.8
North Union Elementary Fenton, IA 9.8
Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville, IA 9.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cal Elementary School

What grades does Cal Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Cal Elementary School?

Cal Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 181 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cal Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cal Elementary School rank in IA?

Cal Elementary School ranks #4 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cal Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cal Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.7 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 Cal Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cal Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cal Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cal Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

51.9% of students at Cal 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Franklin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.8%

District

CAL Comm School District
District Enrollment
181
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,511
District Rank
#1 of 1

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