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Needs Improvement

#1161 of 1,280 schools in IA

Cherokee Elementary School

Elementary School · Cherokee Comm School District

204 E. Indian Street, Cherokee, IA 51012

Enrollment

484

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,161 of 1,280

In Cherokee

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Cherokee Comm School District

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Cherokee Elementary School

3.7/10

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

Cherokee Middle School

6.9/10

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

Washington High School

5.9/10

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

About Cherokee Elementary School

Cherokee Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cherokee, IA, part of Cherokee Comm School District. Cherokee Elementary School serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cherokee Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,161 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Cherokee Elementary School show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts below IA schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.1% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,202
Chronic Absenteeism10.1%

Cherokee Elementary School — Students at Cherokee Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (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
77%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
64.5%
ELA
56.2%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Cherokee Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
9th percentile in IA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.1%

Location

204 E. Indian Street, Cherokee, IA 51012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Schaller-Crestland Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Schaller), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alta Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Alta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cherokee, see our Cherokee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 0.0 mi 6.9
Washington High School Cherokee 0.7 mi 5.9
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 7.1 mi 8.4
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 7.1 mi 9.0
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 16.0 mi 6.6
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 16.3 mi 7.1
River Valley Elementary Washta 15.8 mi 5.5
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 13.3 mi 7.8
MMCRU High School Marcus 13.4 mi 7.4
Alta Elementary School Alta 14.3 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 14.3 mi 6.8
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 19.3 mi 5.6
Ridge View High School Holstein 19.3 mi 5.9
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 19.2 mi 5.9
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 22.6 mi 6.7
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 18.0 mi 7.0
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 18.3 mi 4.7
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 18.3 mi 3.4
River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville 23.0 mi 7.0
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 22.6 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,964

Median Home Value

$127,900

Median Rent

$725/mo

Population

6,313

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

67.3%

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

43.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA 3.7
West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty, IA 3.7
Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 3.7
Carver Elementary Des Moines, IA 3.8
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA 3.8
Greene County Elementary Jefferson, IA 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Elementary School

What grades does Cherokee Elementary School serve?

Cherokee Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?

Cherokee Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Elementary School rank in IA?

Cherokee Elementary School ranks #1,161 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cherokee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Cherokee Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cherokee Elementary School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cherokee Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cherokee Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

45.2% of students at Cherokee 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
47 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Cherokee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.1%

District

Cherokee Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,217
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,202
District Rank
#3 of 3

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