Average
#538 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 42% in state
Centennial Elementary
Elementary School · Southeast Polk Comm School District
910 7th Ave SE, Altoona, IA 50009
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altoona
#2 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#323 of 662
In district
#3 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Centennial Elementary
Centennial Elementary serves 409 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Altoona, Iowa, offering a strong academic foundation in Polk County. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #217 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 77% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics. This academic success reflects the school's commitment to helping students master essential skills during their elementary years. Centennial Elementary draws families from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $91,207 and the poverty rate remains low at 5.9%.
The neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 34% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values around $250,000. Located at 910 7th Ave SE, the school serves as an educational cornerstone in this thriving large suburban area of central Iowa.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Centennial Elementary — Students at Centennial Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.4%
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
→ 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: 5.3/10.
How Centennial Elementary Compares
See how Centennial Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
910 7th Ave SE, Altoona, IA 50009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Centennial Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Altoona Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Anderson Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mitchellville Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Mitchellville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Altoona, see our Altoona schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 3.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 3.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant | 3.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant | 4.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant | 5.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 4.9 mi | 5.4 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 4.6 mi | 5.1 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 5.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville | 5.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 5.4 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,393
Median Home Value
$261,800
Median Rent
$1,201/mo
Population
21,992
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
70.3%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Centennial Elementary has a median household income of $90,393. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,800, with a median rent of $1,201/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| AHSTW Primary School Avoca, IA | 6.7 |
| Bowman Woods Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.7 |
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion, IA | 6.7 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
| Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 6.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines, IA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Centennial Elementary
What grades does Centennial Elementary serve?
Centennial Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Centennial Elementary?
Centennial Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Centennial Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Centennial Elementary is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Centennial Elementary rank in IA?
Centennial Elementary is ranked #538 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Centennial Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Centennial Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Centennial Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Centennial Elementary has 82.5% math proficiency and 77.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Centennial Elementary a charter school?
No, Centennial Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Centennial Elementary a Title I school?
No, Centennial Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Centennial Elementary?
37.4% of students at Centennial 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,154/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Altoona). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 409
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 967-2109
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #3 of 11
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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