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Needs Improvement

#1240 of 1,280 schools in IA

Carson Elementary

Elementary School · Riverside Comm School District

PO BOX 218 330 Pleasant St, Carson, IA 51525

Enrollment

136

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

3.7

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#637 of 662

In district

#3 of 3

Riverside Comm School District

About Carson Elementary

Carson Elementary is a rural public school located in Carson, Iowa, serving students from third to fifth grade. With an enrollment of 136 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated staff includes nine full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support academic growth.

Carson Elementary ranks 18th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.2 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement in educational outcomes. However, the school shows strong performance in core subjects: 66% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 68% meet proficiency standards in both math and science. Located in a serene rural setting, Carson Elementary benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners.

The school is deeply rooted in the area, fostering a sense of belonging among students and parents alike.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 136 students, Carson Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Carson 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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,255

Carson Elementary — Students at Carson Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.2%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 59.4%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
53.4%
ELA
51.8%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Carson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
3th percentile in IA
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO BOX 218 330 Pleasant St, Carson, IA 51525

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tri-Center Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Neola), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakland Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Oakland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Griswold Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Griswold), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carson, see our Carson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Riverside Middle/Senior High School Oakland 3.6 mi 6.3
Oakland Elementary Oakland 4.7 mi 7.2
Treynor Elementary School Treynor 9.6 mi 7.1
Treynor High School Treynor 9.8 mi 8.0
Treynor Middle School Treynor 9.8 mi 5.6
East Mills Elementary School Hastings 14.4 mi 4.8
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 16.5 mi 6.7
AHSTW High School Avoca 16.5 mi 6.9
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca 16.5 mi 6.6
East Mills Jr/Sr High School Hastings 17.7 mi 8.0
Griswold Middle/High School Griswold 14.7 mi 7.4
Griswold Elementary Griswold 14.7 mi 7.2
Red Oak Junior/Senior High School Red Oak 18.0 mi 6.7
Inman Elementary School Red Oak 18.2 mi 6.3
Red Oak Early Childhood Center Red Oak 18.6 mi 6.3
Underwood Elementary School Underwood 17.0 mi 6.0
Underwood Middle School Underwood 17.0 mi 6.5
Underwood High School Underwood 17.4 mi 5.8
Tri-Center Middle School Neola 20.6 mi 6.5
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 20.6 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,034

Median Home Value

$192,900

Median Rent

$696/mo

Population

977

College Educated

26.8%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

31.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

44.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carson Elementary has a median household income of $79,034. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,900, with a median rent of $696/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
HULL PROTESTANT REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull, IA 3.8
Murray Elementary School Murray, IA 3.9
Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA 4.0
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City, IA 4.0
Moulton Elementary School Moulton, IA 4.0
Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park, IA 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carson Elementary

What grades does Carson Elementary serve?

Carson Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Carson Elementary?

Carson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 136 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Carson Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carson Elementary rank in IA?

Carson Elementary is ranked #1240 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Carson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Carson Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Carson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carson Elementary has 60.2% math proficiency and 59.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Carson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Carson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

52.2% of students at Carson 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (180/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pottawattamie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Riverside Comm School District
District Enrollment
670
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,498
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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