Average
#580 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 45% in state
Cardinal Elementary
Elementary School · Cardinal Comm School District
5414 Hwy 16, Eldon, IA 52554
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#580 of 1,280
In Eldon
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
Cardinal Comm School District
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Cardinal Elementary
Elementary School in Eldon · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cardinal High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cardinal Junior High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardinal Elementary
Cardinal Elementary is a public elementary school in Eldon, IA, part of Cardinal Comm School District. Cardinal Elementary serves approximately 529 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #580 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Cardinal Elementary show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.7 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Cardinal Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
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 32 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: 7.0/10.
How Cardinal Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal 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
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 Eisenhower Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Ottumwa), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center (rated 6.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.0 |
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 9.2 mi | 1.6 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 9.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 9.4 mi | 3.7 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 9.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 10.5 mi | — |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 11.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 11.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 10.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 10.9 mi | 2.6 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 13.8 mi | — |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 13.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 13.8 mi | 5.5 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 11.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 16.9 mi | 5.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA | 6.7 |
| Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown, IA | 6.7 |
| Franklin Elementary School Boone, IA | 6.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk, IA | 6.7 |
| Westfield Elementary School Robins, IA | 6.7 |
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 ranks #580 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Cardinal Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardinal Elementary has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.0%
- Phone
- (641) 652-3591
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
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