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#746 of 1,280 schools in IA

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District

501 6th St, Coralville, IA 52241

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Coralville

#3 of 5

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#416 of 662

In district

#14 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Coralville, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 452 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Central Elementary has 35 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a supportive environment.

The academic performance at Central Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.0 out of 10. However, the school has demonstrated proficiency rates of 63% in both ELA/reading and math, as well as 54% in science, indicating areas where students are excelling. Central Elementary School is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering a community setting that balances urban conveniences with the charm of smaller towns.

The school serves a diverse range of families within its neighborhood, fostering a sense of unity and support among local residents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,042

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.9%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 63.1%
School
State
72.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
61%
2025
Math
65.5%
ELA
65.2%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in IA
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

501 6th St, Coralville, IA 52241

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wickham Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Coralville, see our Coralville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Northwest Junior High School Coralville 0.7 mi 5.6
Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville 0.9 mi 6.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville 1.2 mi 7.4
HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville 1.2 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 1.2 mi 4.7
West Senior High School Iowa City 1.6 mi 7.7
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 1.8 mi 6.7
Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville 1.5 mi 5.5
Wickham Elementary Coralville 2.1 mi 7.3
PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville 2.1 mi
Weber Elementary Iowa City 2.5 mi 4.6
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City 2.4 mi 5.9
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 2.5 mi 8.3
North Central Junior High School North Liberty 3.5 mi 6.9
James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty 3.7 mi 4.5
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 3.2 mi 4.6
Liberty High School North Liberty 4.1 mi 7.8
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 3.2 mi 5.4
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 3.7 mi 7.2
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 3.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52241 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,508

Median Home Value

$286,000

Median Rent

$1,021/mo

Population

22,846

College Educated

57.3%

Homeownership

54.3%

Avg Commute

20.3 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

33.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $66,508. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,000, with a median rent of $1,021/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Adel Elementary School Adel, IA 6.1
Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point, IA 6.1
Demoney Elementary Estherville, IA 6.1
Epworth Elementary School Epworth, IA 6.1
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City, IA 6.1
Grundy Center Elementary School Grundy Center, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in IA?

Central Elementary School is ranked #746 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 62.9% math proficiency and 63.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

56.0% of students at Central 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

City Safety
High (2,197/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Coralville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Johnson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Iowa City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,776
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#14 of 29

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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