Skip to main content

Average

#854 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cherokee

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#469 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Cherokee Comm School District

About Cherokee Elementary School

Cherokee Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the small, remote town of Cherokee, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 484 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Cherokee Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment.

Academically, Cherokee Elementary School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks at the 23rd percentile among Iowa schools with its state ranking of #997 out of 1288. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 56%, while in Math, it is slightly higher at 62%. While these scores indicate room for improvement, Cherokee Elementary focuses on student development and continuous academic growth.

Cherokee Elementary School is situated in a close-knit community where students benefit from strong local support and involvement. The school's setting in a remote town offers a unique environment that fosters a tight-knit community spirit among its students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,834

Cherokee Elementary School — Students at Cherokee Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

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 62.0%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
73.1%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
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: 6.6/10.

How Cherokee Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
33th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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 Aurelia Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Aurelia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MMCRU Marcus Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Marcus), 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 5.8
Washington High School Cherokee 0.7 mi 6.1
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 7.1 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 7.1 mi 7.8
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 16.0 mi 6.6
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 16.3 mi 6.5
River Valley Elementary Washta 15.8 mi 7.1
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 13.3 mi 8.5
MMCRU High School Marcus 13.4 mi 6.1
Alta Elementary School Alta 14.3 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 14.3 mi 7.5
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 19.3 mi 6.3
Ridge View High School Holstein 19.3 mi 5.0
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 19.2 mi 5.8
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 22.6 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 18.0 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 18.3 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 18.3 mi 4.6
River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville 23.0 mi 6.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Elementary School has a median household income of $56,964. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $127,900, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA 5.8
Central Lee Elementary School Donnellson, IA 5.8
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.8
Dyersville Elementary School Dyersville, IA 5.7
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove, IA 5.7
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Bettendorf, IA 5.7

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 is ranked #854 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Cherokee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee 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 Cherokee Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Elementary School has 62.0% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
Average (543/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cherokee). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.