Very Good
#253 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 20% in state
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
Elementary School · North Iowa Comm School District
111 3rd Ave NW, Buffalo Center, IA 50424
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#253 of 1,280
In Buffalo Center
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
North Iowa Comm School District
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
Elementary School in Buffalo Center · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Iowa High School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Iowa Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is a public elementary school in Buffalo Center, IA, part of North Iowa Comm School District. North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center serves approximately 231 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #253 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center — Students at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 8.3/10.
How North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Compares
See how North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center 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
111 3rd Ave NW, Buffalo Center, IA 50424
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Kossuth Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Swea City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Mills Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Lake Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Hancock Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Buffalo Center, see our Buffalo Center schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Iowa High School Buffalo Center | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center | 0.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth | 18.9 mi | — |
| BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth | 18.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Blue Earth Area Elementary Blue Earth | 18.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth | 19.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Forest City Elementary School Forest City | 17.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Forest City High School Forest City | 17.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Forest City Middle School Forest City | 17.3 mi | 8.8 |
| West Hancock High School Britt | 21.5 mi | 8.9 |
| West Hancock Elementary School Britt | 21.6 mi | 8.5 |
| SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville | 17.5 mi | — |
| North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City | 18.3 mi | 9.3 |
| North Union Middle School Swea City | 18.3 mi | 8.6 |
| UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Wells | 26.1 mi | 8.2 |
| UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Wells | 26.1 mi | 6.0 |
| BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona | 25.2 mi | 6.7 |
| ST CASIMIR'S SCHOOL Wells | 26.7 mi | — |
| Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona | 25.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills | 21.0 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,125
Median Home Value
$109,200
Median Rent
$643/mo
Population
1,590
College Educated
25.4%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
51.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 7.9 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville, IA | 7.9 |
| Hawarden Elementary School Hawarden, IA | 7.9 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer, IA | 7.9 |
| Moville Elementary School Moville, IA | 7.9 |
| Sidney Elementary School Sidney, IA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
What grades does North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center serve?
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center?
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has an enrollment of approximately 231 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center?
The student-teacher ratio at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center rank in IA?
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center ranks #253 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center's MySchoolScout rating?
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center a charter school?
No, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center a Title I school?
No, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center?
48.5% of students at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 231
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Winnebago County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.0%
- Phone
- (641) 562-2525
Resources & Links
District
North Iowa Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 465
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,962
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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