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Average

#671 of 1,280 schools in IA

Guthrie Center Elementary School

Elementary School · Guthrie Center Comm School District

900 N 4th St, Guthrie Center, IA 50115

Enrollment

250

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Guthrie Center

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#379 of 662

In district

#2 of 2

Guthrie Center Comm School District

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Guthrie Center Elementary School

Guthrie Center Elementary School serves 250 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the small community of Guthrie Center, Iowa. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 132nd among Iowa's 1,288 elementary schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.

Students show particularly impressive results in mathematics, with 82% achieving proficient or above levels, while 72% meet or exceed proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Located at 900 N 4th Street, the school sits in a remote rural setting that reflects the close-knit character of Guthrie County. The surrounding community of 2,782 residents has a median household income of $68,917 and a median home value of $134,600.

While 22% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the poverty rate stands at 13.2%, the school continues to deliver quality education that outperforms many schools across the state. Guthrie Center Elementary provides a solid educational foundation in Iowa's peaceful rural landscape, where community values and academic achievement go hand in hand.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Guthrie 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 Progress3.9Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,684

Guthrie Center Elementary School — Students at Guthrie Center Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.0%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 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
87%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
84.3%
ELA
71.9%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Guthrie Center Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
48th percentile in IA
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

900 N 4th St, Guthrie Center, IA 50115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Guthrie Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dexter Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Dexter), which scores notably higher. Another option is Panorama Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Panora), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stuart Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Stuart), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Guthrie Center, see our Guthrie Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Guthrie Center High School Guthrie Center 1.1 mi 7.1
Panorama High School Panora 6.7 mi 4.9
Panorama Middle School Panora 6.7 mi 4.8
Panorama Elementary Panora 6.7 mi 7.7
Adair-Casey Elementary School Adair 12.1 mi 6.4
Adair-Casey Jr. High School Adair 12.1 mi 6.1
Stuart Elementary School Stuart 15.8 mi 6.6
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids 16.2 mi 5.2
Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids 16.2 mi 7.7
West Central Valley High School Stuart 16.3 mi 5.1
Dexter Elementary School Dexter 18.3 mi 7.9
West Central Valley Middle School Redfield 17.3 mi 7.3
Greene County Middle School Jefferson 22.9 mi 5.8
Greene County Elementary Jefferson 23.3 mi 6.4
CAM Jr./Sr. High School Anita 21.3 mi 6.2
Iowa Connections Academy High School Anita 21.5 mi 2.7
Iowa Connections Academy Middle School Anita 21.5 mi 2.9
Iowa Connections Academy Elementary Anita 21.5 mi 2.3
Greene County High School Jefferson 24.7 mi 6.1
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield 25.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,952

Median Home Value

$139,600

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

2,741

College Educated

23.2%

Homeownership

80%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

45

Community Profile

The community surrounding Guthrie Center Elementary School has a median household income of $70,952. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,600, with a median rent of $797/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Bedford Elementary School Bedford, IA 6.3
Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA 6.3
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein, IA 6.3
Lenox Elementary School Lenox, IA 6.3
North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon, IA 6.3
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo, IA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Guthrie Center Elementary School

What grades does Guthrie Center Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Guthrie Center Elementary School?

Guthrie Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Guthrie Center Elementary School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Guthrie Center Elementary School rank in IA?

Guthrie Center Elementary School is ranked #671 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Guthrie Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Guthrie Center Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Guthrie Center Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Guthrie Center Elementary School has 84.0% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Guthrie Center Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Guthrie Center Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

31.6% of students at Guthrie 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

County Safety
Low (244/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Guthrie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Guthrie Center Comm School District
District Enrollment
447
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,677
District Rank
#2 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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