Excellent
#34 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 3% 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
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elkader
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#31 of 662
In district
#1 of 2
Central Comm School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Elkader, IA, part of the Central Comm School District. The school serves approximately 277 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 97.4th percentile among IA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 82% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 73% in reading/language arts, 0 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,202, where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What's said publicly about Central Elementary
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Central Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
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 15 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: 9.7/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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. MFL MarMac Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Monona), with a very similar rating. Another option is Edgewood-Colesburg Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Edgewood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cora B Darling Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 17.7 miles away, in nearby Postville), a more accessible option. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $65,202. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,000, with a median rent of $839/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 8.6 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School Burlington, IA | 8.6 |
| Virgil Grissom Elementary School Princeton, IA | 8.6 |
| Woodbine Elementary School Woodbine, IA | 8.6 |
| BCLUW Elementary School Conrad, IA | 8.7 |
| Dallas Center Elementary Grimes, IA | 8.5 |
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 is ranked #34 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 81.6% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (563) 245-1472
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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