Needs Improvement
#1224 of 1,280 schools in IA
Murray Elementary School
Elementary School · Murray Comm School District
PO BOX 187 216 Sherman St, Murray, IA 50174
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murray
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#630 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Murray Comm School District
About Murray Elementary School
Murray Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Murray, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 163 students and employs ten full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. Murray Elementary School's academic performance shows that 74% of its students are proficient or above in math, while 64% and 71% respectively meet proficiency standards in ELA/reading and science.
The school has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks at the 10th percentile among Iowa schools based on state metrics. Despite its current standing, Murray Elementary School continues to focus on student development and offers educational support for those who need it. Located in a rural setting, the school is nestled within a close-knit community where students benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention from teachers.
The school's setting in this rural area provides a unique learning environment that complements its academic programs, fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration among students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 163 students, Murray Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Murray 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Murray Elementary School — Students at Murray Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.5/10.
How Murray Elementary School Compares
See how Murray Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 74.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 54.5% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 187 216 Sherman St, Murray, IA 50174
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Murray Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Leon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Interstate 35 Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Truro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Leon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Murray, see our Murray schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Murray Jr/Sr High Murray | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Clarke Community High School Osceola | 9.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Clarke Community Middle School Osceola | 9.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Interstate 35 High School Truro | 13.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Interstate 35 Middle School Truro | 13.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Interstate 35 Elementary School Truro | 13.2 mi | 8.0 |
| East Union Elementary Afton | 11.8 mi | 6.9 |
| East Union Middle-High School Afton | 11.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Winterset Middle School Winterset | 19.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Winterset Junior High School Winterset | 20.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Winterset Senior High School Winterset | 20.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Winterset Elementary School Winterset | 20.5 mi | 7.0 |
| North Elementary School Leon | 23.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon | 23.0 mi | 6.8 |
| FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Leon | 22.2 mi | — |
| South Elementary School Leon | 23.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Martensdale Elementary School Martensdale | 25.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School Martensdale | 25.8 mi | 6.9 |
| MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston | 21.0 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50174 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,250
Median Home Value
$109,600
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
1,312
College Educated
15.5%
Homeownership
87.4%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
24.8%
Median Age
26.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Murray Elementary School has a median household income of $63,250. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,600, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| James Elementary School Ottumwa, IA | 3.9 |
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 4.0 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City, IA | 4.0 |
| HULL PROTESTANT REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull, IA | 3.8 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe, IA | 4.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Moulton, IA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Murray Elementary School
What grades does Murray Elementary School serve?
Murray Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Murray Elementary School?
Murray Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Murray Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Murray Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Murray Elementary School rank in IA?
Murray Elementary School is ranked #1224 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Murray Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Murray Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Murray Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Murray Elementary School has 73.9% math proficiency and 64.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Murray Elementary School a charter school?
No, Murray Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Murray Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Murray Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Murray Elementary School?
54.0% of students at Murray 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (237/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 163
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Clarke County
- Phone
- (641) 447-2517
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Murray Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 317
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,795
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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