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
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Central City Elementary School — Students at Central City Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
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
↑ 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: 9.6/10.
How Central City Elementary School Compares
See how Central City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (319) 438-6181
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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