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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg-17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,698

Central Lee Elementary School — Students at Central Lee Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.1%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
86.8%
ELA
78.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.8/10
33th percentile in IA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Lee Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,270
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,176
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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