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
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.7
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Carson Elementary — Students at Carson Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How Carson Elementary Compares
See how Carson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (712) 484-2291
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Riverside Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 670
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,498
- 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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