Excellent
#190 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 15% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Central Comm School District · Elkader, IA
A Central Comm School District elementary school where students score 15 points above what's typical for similar communities.
400 First St NW, Elkader, IA 52043
- Math 88% vs IA 74% (2025)
- Reading 76% vs IA 73% (2025)
- 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Central Elementary score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
2025 ISASP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 12 points since 2020, reaching 82% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 78% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 74% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
50.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Central Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 57Somewhat Walkable
- Bike 35Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Low123/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$65,202
Median home value
$145,000
Median rent
$839/mo
College educated
21.6%
Homeownership
78.1%
Poverty rate
7.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 52043; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
0 from verified nearby records
No verified same-level alternatives
The available nearby set has no same-level school with a verified grade span.
Central Comm School District
- Schools in district
- 2
- Rank in district
- #1 of 2
- District spending per student
- $12,478NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 10.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Central Elementary is listed in Central Comm School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Elkader, IA, part of Central Comm School District, serving approximately 277 students in grades Pre-K-6th with a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #190 of 1,280 schools in IA. State assessment records 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)
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 277
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Clayton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.2%
- Phone
- (563) 245-1472
- Area population (ZIP 52043)
- 1,853
- Area median age
- 50.3
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 52043; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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