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Average

#807 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#807 of 1,280

In Coralville

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#18 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Coralville · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northwest Junior High School

5.9/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kirkwood Elementary School

5.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Coralville, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. Central Elementary School serves approximately 452 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #807 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391
Chronic Absenteeism16.8%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

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 67.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
71%
ELA
74%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
60%
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: 4.8/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in IA
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Wickham Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mark Twain Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), 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 5.9
Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville 0.9 mi 5.4
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 6.6
West Senior High School Iowa City 1.6 mi 6.1
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 1.8 mi 5.3
Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville 1.5 mi 5.3
Wickham Elementary Coralville 2.1 mi 8.7
PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville 2.1 mi
Weber Elementary Iowa City 2.5 mi 4.9
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City 2.4 mi 7.4
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 2.5 mi 7.6
North Central Junior High School North Liberty 3.5 mi 6.8
James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty 3.7 mi 6.9
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 3.2 mi 5.9
Liberty High School North Liberty 4.1 mi 6.7
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 3.2 mi 4.0
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 3.7 mi 7.2
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 3.7 mi 7.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Columbus Elementary School Chariton, IA 5.8
Cunningham School Waterloo, IA 5.8
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge, IA 5.8
Eason Elementary School Waukee, IA 5.8
East Elementary School Ankeny, IA 5.8
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City, IA 5.8

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 ranks #807 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.8%

District

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

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