Average
#1055 of 1,280 schools in IA
Cardinal Elementary
Elementary School · Cardinal Comm School District
5414 Hwy 16, Eldon, IA 52554
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Eldon
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#551 of 662
In district
#3 of 3
Cardinal Comm School District
About Cardinal Elementary
Cardinal Elementary in Eldon, Iowa, is a small rural elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 529 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.6:1, Cardinal Elementary offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The school employs 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of their young students.
While Cardinal Elementary currently ranks in the lower half of Iowa schools according to MySchoolScout’s metrics, with an overall rating of 3.2 out of 10, it focuses on fostering a nurturing environment that encourages growth and learning for all its students. The school's proficiency rates in ELA/Reading and Math are both around 64% and 66%, respectively, indicating areas where there is room for improvement but also potential for future academic success. Cardinal Elementary sits in a rural setting, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Eldon’s countryside, offering students a peaceful and supportive learning atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cardinal Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 4.7/10.
How Cardinal Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
5414 Hwy 16, Eldon, IA 52554
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Ottumwa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center (rated 7.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pekin Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Packwood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Eldon, see our Eldon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 9.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 9.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 9.4 mi | 4.3 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 9.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.1 mi | 5.9 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 10.5 mi | — |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 11.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 11.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 10.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.6 mi | 2.8 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 10.9 mi | 2.9 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 13.8 mi | — |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 13.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 13.8 mi | 7.5 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 11.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 16.9 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,458
Median Home Value
$94,400
Median Rent
$650/mo
Population
1,221
College Educated
9.4%
Homeownership
85.3%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardinal Elementary has a median household income of $56,458. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,400, with a median rent of $650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA | 5.0 |
| Emerson Elementary School Indianola, IA | 5.0 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass, IA | 5.1 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardinal Elementary
What grades does Cardinal Elementary serve?
Cardinal Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Cardinal Elementary?
Cardinal Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 529 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardinal Elementary rank in IA?
Cardinal Elementary is ranked #1055 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Cardinal Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Elementary has 66.4% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cardinal Elementary a charter school?
No, Cardinal Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardinal Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cardinal Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Elementary?
65.8% of students at Cardinal 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (335/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 529
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wapello County
- Phone
- (641) 652-3591
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cardinal Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,107
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,118
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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