Very Good
#356 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 28% in state
North Elementary School
Elementary School · Central Decatur Comm School District
1203 NE Poplar Street, Leon, IA 50144
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
7.5
Grades
3rd – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#356 of 1,280
In Leon
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Central Decatur Comm School District
Equity
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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North Elementary School
Elementary School in Leon · grades 3rd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Decatur Ms/hs High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Elementary School
North Elementary School is a public elementary school in Leon, IA, part of Central Decatur Comm School District. North Elementary School serves approximately 176 students, and covers grades 3rd-6th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. North Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #356 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for North Elementary School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 7.7
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 176 students, North Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
North Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
30% of students at North Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Elementary School — Students at North Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How North Elementary School Compares
See how North Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1203 NE Poplar Street, Leon, IA 50144
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORTH MERCER ELEM. (rated 8.9/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Mercer), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NORTH HARRISON ELEM. (rated 7.9/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Eagleville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Leon, see our Leon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| South Elementary School Leon | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Leon | 3.2 mi | — |
| POVERTY RIDGE AMISH SCHOOL Mercer | 15.0 mi | — |
| Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni | 13.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Lamoni High School Lamoni | 13.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Lamoni Middle School Lamoni | 13.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston | 14.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston | 14.6 mi | 5.5 |
| ZADIE CREEK SCHOOL Eagleville | 16.7 mi | — |
| Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola | 19.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Clarke Community High School Osceola | 20.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Clarke Community Middle School Osceola | 20.5 mi | 3.8 |
| CAINSVILLE ELEM. Cainsville | 21.5 mi | 4.2 |
| CAINSVILLE HIGH Cainsville | 21.5 mi | 6.2 |
| NORTH MERCER ELEM. Mercer | 19.8 mi | 8.9 |
| MERCER HIGH Mercer | 19.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray | 23.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Murray Jr/Sr High Murray | 23.0 mi | 5.9 |
| NORTH HARRISON ELEM. Eagleville | 23.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,511
Median Home Value
$122,200
Median Rent
$544/mo
Population
2,715
College Educated
14.7%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
38.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins, IA | 7.5 |
| LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 7.5 |
| Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City, IA | 7.5 |
| Pleasant View Elementary School Webster City, IA | 7.5 |
| RRMR Elementary School Rockford, IA | 7.5 |
| Riverside Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Elementary School
What grades does North Elementary School serve?
North Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend North Elementary School?
North Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 176 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Elementary School rank in IA?
North Elementary School ranks #356 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Elementary School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is North Elementary School a charter school?
No, North Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Elementary School a Title I school?
No, North Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Elementary School?
72.2% of students at North 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 176
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Decatur County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.1%
- Phone
- (641) 446-4452
Resources & Links
District
Central Decatur Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 668
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,664
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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