Average
#853 of 1,280 schools in IA
Central Lee Elementary School
Elementary School · Central Lee Comm School District
2642 Highway 218, Donnellson, IA 52625
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Donnellson
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#468 of 662
In district
#2 of 3
Central Lee Comm School District
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Lee Elementary School
Central Lee Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Donnellson, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Central Lee has an enrollment of 672 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Central Lee shows that 72% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 74% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Math.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranking 1105th among Iowa’s 1288 schools (14th percentile), the school is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. Central Lee Elementary School sits along Highway 218, providing a rural setting that offers students a close-knit community feel. The school's location in this rural area gives it a unique character and sense of community, fostering an environment where teachers and families can work closely together to support each student’s learning journey.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central Lee Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Central Lee Elementary School 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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Central Lee Elementary School — Students at Central Lee Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 8.5/10.
How Central Lee Elementary School Compares
See how Central Lee Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 59% (2022).
Location
2642 Highway 218, Donnellson, IA 52625
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Lee Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hawthorne Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Keokuk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nauvoo Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Nauvoo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George Washington Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Keokuk), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Donnellson, see our Donnellson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Lee Middle School Donnellson | 0.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Central Lee High School Donnellson | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| STS PETER & PAUL Nauvoo | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point | 10.1 mi | 5.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY West Point | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison | 8.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison | 9.1 mi | 3.6 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Fort Madison | 9.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Fort Madison High School Fort Madison | 10.4 mi | 4.5 |
| KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk | 12.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Fort Madison | 10.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Keokuk High School Keokuk | 13.0 mi | 4.9 |
| KEOKUK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Keokuk | 13.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Keokuk Middle School Keokuk | 13.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Torrence Elementary Keokuk | 13.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Nauvoo Elem School Nauvoo | 11.1 mi | 7.3 |
| George Washington Elementary School Keokuk | 14.0 mi | 7.1 |
| RUNNING FOX ELEM. Alexandria | 15.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Warsaw Sr High School Warsaw | 16.0 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,224
Median Home Value
$201,100
Median Rent
$753/mo
Population
2,303
College Educated
27.2%
Homeownership
86.5%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Lee Elementary School has a median household income of $78,224. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,100, with a median rent of $753/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee, IA | 5.8 |
| Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove, IA | 5.7 |
| Lakeview Elementary Centerville, IA | 5.7 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk, IA | 5.7 |
| Radiant Elementary School Urbandale, IA | 5.7 |
| Titan Hill Intermediate School Council Bluffs, IA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Lee Elementary School
What grades does Central Lee Elementary School serve?
Central Lee Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Lee Elementary School?
Central Lee Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 672 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Lee Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Lee Elementary School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Lee Elementary School rank in IA?
Central Lee Elementary School is ranked #853 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central Lee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Lee Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Lee Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Lee Elementary School has 74.1% math proficiency and 72.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Lee Elementary School a charter school?
No, Central Lee Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Lee Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Central Lee Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Lee Elementary School?
33.6% of students at Central Lee 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (247/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 672
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lee County
- Phone
- (319) 835-9510
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Lee Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,270
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,176
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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