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Very Good

#252 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 20% in state

Garfield Elementary School

Elementary School · Clarinda Comm School District

PO BOX 59 901 S. 15th, Clarinda, IA 51632

Enrollment

562

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clarinda

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#170 of 662

In district

#1 of 2

Clarinda Comm School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Garfield Elementary School

Garfield Elementary School is a regular public school located in the remote town of Clarinda, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school boasts an enrollment of 562 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Garfield Elementary is reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.8 out of 10, placing it at the 36th percentile among Iowa's schools.

On standardized tests, 64% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 74% in Math, and 68% in Science. While there is room for improvement, Garfield Elementary focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment that nurtures young minds. Located in Clarinda, the school benefits from a tight-knit community atmosphere where relationships between students, teachers, and families are strong.

Garfield Elementary School is an integral part of this remote town, contributing to its vibrant educational landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Math vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,079

Garfield Elementary School — Students at Garfield Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.7%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 64.1%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 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
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
80%
ELA
67.7%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Garfield Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

PO BOX 59 901 S. 15th, Clarinda, IA 51632

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garfield Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Page Elementary School (rated 10.0/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby College Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sylvia Enarson Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Villisca), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WEST NODAWAY R-I ELEM. (rated 7.5/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Burlington Jct), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clarinda, see our Clarinda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Clarinda High School Clarinda 1.0 mi 6.1
CLARINDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Clarinda 1.3 mi 5.5
South Page Elementary School College Springs 8.7 mi 10.0
South Page Senior High School College Springs 8.7 mi
Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca 14.2 mi 8.0
Sylvia Enarson Elementary School Villisca 14.3 mi 8.0
Stanton Elementary School Stanton 17.9 mi 7.3
Stanton High School Stanton 17.9 mi 6.1
NORTH NODAWAY JR.-SR. HIGH Hopkins 17.0 mi 7.8
WEST NODAWAY R-I ELEM. Burlington Jct 19.9 mi 7.5
WEST NODAWAY HIGH Burlington Jct 19.9 mi 8.3
Essex Elementary School Essex 15.9 mi 4.2
Essex Junior-Senior High School Essex 15.9 mi 7.8
Bedford High School Bedford 16.9 mi 8.8
Bedford Elementary School Bedford 16.9 mi 6.3
Shenandoah Elementary School Shenandoah 17.0 mi 6.1
Shenandoah Middle School Shenandoah 17.0 mi 6.2
Shenandoah High School Shenandoah 17.1 mi 6.9
IGNITE Online & Personalized Learning Shenandoah 17.1 mi 3.6
Logan Preschool Shenandoah 17.5 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,758

Median Home Value

$135,200

Median Rent

$664/mo

Population

6,682

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

18 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Garfield Elementary School has a median household income of $54,758. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,200, with a median rent of $664/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Bluff Elementary School Clinton, IA 7.5
Creston Elementary School Creston, IA 7.5
Echo Hill Elementary Marion, IA 7.5
Forest Grove Elementary Bettendorf, IA 7.5
Mediapolis Elementary School Mediapolis, IA 7.5
Wilder Elementary School Indianola, IA 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garfield Elementary School

What grades does Garfield Elementary School serve?

Garfield Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Garfield Elementary School?

Garfield Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Garfield Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garfield Elementary School rank in IA?

Garfield Elementary School is ranked #252 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Garfield Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Garfield Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Garfield Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garfield Elementary School has 73.7% math proficiency and 64.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garfield Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Garfield Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

48.6% of students at Garfield 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,305/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Page County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clarinda Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,043
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,124
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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