Average
#468 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 37% in state
Cardinal Junior High
Middle School · Cardinal Comm School District
4045 Ashland Road, Eldon, IA 52554
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
301
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Eldon
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#90 of 248
In district
#2 of 3
Cardinal Comm School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cardinal Junior High
Cardinal Junior High in Eldon, Iowa, serves students from fifth through eighth grade and is part of the Wapello County school system. With a total enrollment of 301 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, Cardinal Junior High offers personalized attention to help each student succeed academically. The school's dedicated staff includes 18 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with the community.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Cardinal Junior High has an overall score of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks 33rd percentile among Iowa schools. In terms of academic performance, the school shows proficiency rates in ELA/Reading at 71%, Math at 64%, and Science at 70%. While there is room for improvement, Cardinal Junior High focuses on supporting each student's development and growth.
Located in a rural area near Eldon, Cardinal Junior High benefits from a close-knit community that values education. The school is situated on Ashland Road, providing students with a peaceful setting conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Cardinal Junior High 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardinal Junior High — Students at Cardinal Junior High score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Cardinal Junior High Compares
See how Cardinal Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 70% (2022).
Location
4045 Ashland Road, Eldon, IA 52554
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Ottumwa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center (rated 7.5/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pekin Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Packwood), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Eldon, see our Eldon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal High School Eldon | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 0.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 9.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 9.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 9.5 mi | 4.3 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 9.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 11.7 mi | 7.5 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | — |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 11.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 10.9 mi | 2.9 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 14.0 mi | — |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 7.5 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 16.8 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 Junior High 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 |
|---|---|
| Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford, IA | 6.8 |
| IKM-Manning Middle School Manning, IA | 6.8 |
| Osage Middle School Osage, IA | 6.8 |
| Central DeWitt Middle School De Witt, IA | 6.7 |
| Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake, IA | 6.7 |
| Interstate 35 Middle School Truro, IA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardinal Junior High
What grades does Cardinal Junior High serve?
Cardinal Junior High serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Cardinal Junior High?
Cardinal Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 301 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Junior High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardinal Junior High rank in IA?
Cardinal Junior High is ranked #468 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cardinal Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Junior High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Junior High has 63.7% math proficiency and 70.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cardinal Junior High a charter school?
No, Cardinal Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardinal Junior High a Title I school?
No, Cardinal Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Junior High?
53.2% of students at Cardinal Junior High 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
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 301
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wapello County
- Phone
- (641) 652-7531
- 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
- #2 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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