Excellent
#190 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 15% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Central Comm School District
400 First St NW, Elkader, IA 52043
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#190 of 1,280
In Elkader
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 2
Central Comm School District
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in Elkader · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Middle School/high School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Clayton Ridge Elementary School
8.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Elkader, IA, part of Central Comm School District. Central Elementary serves approximately 277 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #190 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about Central Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Central Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 7.9/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
400 First St NW, Elkader, IA 52043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clayton Ridge Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Garnavillo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Valley Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Elgin), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MFL MarMac Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Monona), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Elkader, see our Elkader schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,202
Median Home Value
$145,000
Median Rent
$839/mo
Population
1,853
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
78.1%
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
50.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA | 8.1 |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck, IA | 8.1 |
| Guthrie Center Elementary School Guthrie Center, IA | 8.1 |
| Irwin Elementary School Irwin, IA | 8.1 |
| John Cline Elementary School Decorah, IA | 8.1 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Kingsley, IA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 277 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in IA?
Central Elementary ranks #190 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
50.5% of students at Central 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 277
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clayton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.2%
- Phone
- (563) 245-1472
Resources & Links
District
Central Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 479
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,478
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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