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Excellent

#82 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 6% in state

Central City Elementary School

Elementary School · Central City Comm School District

400 Barber Street, Central City, IA 52214

Enrollment

174

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Central City

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#70 of 662

In district

#1 of 2

Central City Comm School District

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Central City Elementary School

Central City Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area of Central City, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 174 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance shows that 68% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 71% meet proficiency standards in Math.

In Science, 59% of students score at or above the proficiency level, indicating areas for continued growth and development. Central City Elementary School is part of Linn County and stands on Barber Street as a cornerstone of the community, fostering education and personal growth among its young learners. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranking at #624 in Iowa's state rankings, there are opportunities for improvement but also strong community support to enhance academic outcomes.

The school is nestled in a rural setting where close-knit relationships between students, teachers, and families contribute to its unique educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 174 students, Central City Elementary School 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, Central City Elementary School 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 Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.1Average30%
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.)69%
vs. Expected-4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,317

Central City Elementary School — Students at Central City Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.8%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
72.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
81.2%
ELA
73.9%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Central City Elementary School Compares

See how Central City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
94th percentile in IA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

400 Barber Street, Central City, IA 52214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Novak Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a very similar rating. Another option is Springville Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Springville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Echo Hill Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Central City, see our Central City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Central City High School Central City 0.0 mi 6.5
Alburnett Elementary School Alburnett 6.3 mi 6.5
Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett 6.3 mi 4.0
Alburnett Middle School Alburnett 6.3 mi 6.4
Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion 10.6 mi 6.5
Hazel Point Intermediate School Marion 10.2 mi 7.4
North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills 9.0 mi 6.8
North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills 9.0 mi 6.5
North Linn Elementary Troy Mills 9.0 mi 7.1
Echo Hill Elementary Marion 10.3 mi 7.5
Oak Ridge Middle School Marion 10.6 mi 6.3
Linn Grove Elementary School Marion 11.3 mi 6.7
Excelsior Middle School Marion 11.0 mi 6.6
Indian Creek Elementary School Marion 11.4 mi 5.9
Linn-Mar High School Marion 11.4 mi 5.7
Springville Elementary School Springville 11.3 mi 7.7
Springville Secondary School Springville 11.4 mi 7.7
Wilkins Elementary School Marion 11.7 mi 7.0
Novak Elementary School Marion 11.7 mi 7.9
Longfellow Elementary Marion 12.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,450

Median Home Value

$235,400

Median Rent

$825/mo

Population

2,770

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

85.8%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central City Elementary School has a median household income of $83,450. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $825/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Remsen-Union Elementary School Remsen, IA 8.1
Southeast Warren Primary Milo, IA 8.1
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside, IA 8.2
Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun, IA 8.0
Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt Odebolt, IA 8.0
Riceville Elementary School Riceville, IA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central City Elementary School

What grades does Central City Elementary School serve?

Central City Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Central City Elementary School?

Central City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 174 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central City Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central City Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central City Elementary School rank in IA?

Central City Elementary School is ranked #82 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central City Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Central City Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central City Elementary School has 70.8% math proficiency and 68.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central City Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Central City Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central City Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central City Elementary School?

39.7% of students at Central City Elementary School 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

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (65/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Linn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central City Comm School District
District Enrollment
441
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,484
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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