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Excellent

#90 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 7% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Nevada Comm School District

925 H Ave, Nevada, IA 50201

Enrollment

646

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#90 of 1,280

In Nevada

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Nevada Comm School District

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

8.6/10

Elementary School in Nevada · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nevada High School

5.7/10

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

Nevada Middle School

8.5/10

0.5 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 Nevada, IA, part of Nevada Comm School District. Central Elementary School serves approximately 646 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #90 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency93.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.2% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.2 pts
Overall Proficiency91% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,613
Chronic Absenteeism12.8%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 81.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 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
84%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
84%
2017
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
85%
2025
Math
93.2%
ELA
88.3%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in IA
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
7.3/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.8%

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

925 H Ave, Nevada, IA 50201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ballard East Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Cambridge), with a very similar rating. Another option is Collins-Maxwell Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Collins), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Ames), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nevada, see our Nevada schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Nevada High School Nevada 0.4 mi 5.7
Nevada Middle School Nevada 0.5 mi 8.5
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo 6.7 mi 7.8
Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell 9.3 mi 7.3
Roland-Story Middle School Roland 10.3 mi 8.1
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 9.7 mi 8.3
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 8.1 mi 6.3
Meeker Elementary School Ames 8.7 mi 5.6
Northwood Pre-School Ames 9.0 mi 4.3
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 9.1 mi 6.5
Fellows Elementary School Ames 9.4 mi 6.3
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 9.5 mi 7.2
Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins 11.0 mi 7.5
Ames High School Ames 9.6 mi 5.2
Ballard Middle School Huxley 11.8 mi 8.4
Ballard High School Huxley 12.0 mi 6.7
Gilbert High School Gilbert 11.3 mi 7.1
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 11.4 mi 8.1
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing 12.7 mi 4.5
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 11.6 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,989

Median Home Value

$186,500

Median Rent

$908/mo

Population

8,301

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

73.2%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cody Elementary School Leclaire, IA 8.6
Crestwood Elementary School Cresco, IA 8.6
Penn Elementary School North Liberty, IA 8.6
West Elementary School Treynor, IA 8.6
College View Elementary Council Bluffs, IA 8.5
Echo Hill Elementary Marion, IA 8.5

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 4th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 646 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in IA?

Central Elementary School ranks #90 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% 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?

36.5% 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
67 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
646
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Story County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.8%

District

Nevada Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,570
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,613
District Rank
#1 of 3

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