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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Math vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,716

Murray Elementary School — Students at Murray Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.9%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 64.1%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
54.5%
2025
Math
74.1%
ELA
67.9%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Murray Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
5th percentile in IA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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