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Average

#745 of 1,280 schools in IA

Grundy Center Elementary School

Elementary School · Grundy Center Comm School District

903 9th St, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Enrollment

278

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grundy Center

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#415 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Grundy Center Comm School District

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Grundy Center Elementary School

Grundy Center Elementary School serves 278 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in the heart of rural Grundy Center, Iowa. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 and 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides an intimate learning environment where educators can give individual attention to their students. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 153rd out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile.

Students particularly excel in mathematics, with 82% achieving proficient or above levels, while 77% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education. Located at 903 9th Street, Grundy Center Elementary sits in a stable rural community where the median household income is $81,446 and the poverty rate remains low at 8.2%.

The surrounding ZIP code of 50638 has a population of 3,330 residents, with 28% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values around $157,100. This small-town setting offers students the advantages of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining high educational standards in Iowa's rural heartland.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Grundy Center 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 Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,639

Grundy Center Elementary School — Students at Grundy Center Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.5%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 79.4%
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
77%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
80.7%
ELA
78%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Grundy Center Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in IA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

903 9th St, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grundy Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BCLUW Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores notably higher. Another option is AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg (rated 7.6/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Wellsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dike Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Dike), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grundy Center, see our Grundy Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Grundy Center Middle School Grundy Center 0.3 mi 8.0
Grundy Center High School Grundy Center 0.3 mi 5.4
BCLUW Elementary School Conrad 10.2 mi 8.7
BCLUW High School Conrad 10.3 mi 7.7
AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg 9.4 mi 6.7
AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg Wellsburg 9.4 mi 7.6
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck 9.4 mi 8.1
Dike Elementary School Dike 10.6 mi 7.2
Dike-New Hartford High School Dike 10.6 mi 6.9
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck 9.7 mi 6.4
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg 10.9 mi 5.6
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg 14.8 mi 7.4
Parkersburg Elementary School Parkersburg 14.8 mi 7.2
Aplington Elementary School Aplington 16.2 mi 5.7
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington 16.2 mi 7.8
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain 17.6 mi 3.7
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford 16.6 mi 6.8
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford 16.6 mi 6.0
GMG Secondary School Garwin 19.0 mi 5.8
Choice Charter School Union 16.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,500

Median Home Value

$181,000

Median Rent

$681/mo

Population

3,474

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grundy Center Elementary School has a median household income of $79,500. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,000, with a median rent of $681/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point, IA 6.1
Epworth Elementary School Epworth, IA 6.1
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo, IA 6.1
Pence Elementary Fairfield, IA 6.1
Pierce Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 6.1
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Farley, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grundy Center Elementary School

What grades does Grundy Center Elementary School serve?

Grundy Center Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Grundy Center Elementary School?

Grundy Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grundy Center Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grundy Center Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grundy Center Elementary School rank in IA?

Grundy Center Elementary School is ranked #745 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Grundy Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grundy Center Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Grundy Center Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grundy Center Elementary School has 80.5% math proficiency and 79.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grundy Center Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Grundy Center Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

28.8% of students at Grundy Center 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 (321/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Grundy County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grundy Center Comm School District
District Enrollment
796
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,041
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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