Very Good
#306 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 24% 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
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo Center
#2 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#197 of 662
In district
#2 of 3
North Iowa Comm School District
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is a charming elementary school in the heart of rural Buffalo Center, Iowa. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and currently has an enrollment of 231 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
North Iowa Elementary offers a well-rounded curriculum with strong performance in science, where 84% of students are proficient or above. In English Language Arts and Math, proficiency rates stand at 72%, indicating areas for continued academic growth. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #333 among Iowa’s schools.
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is situated in a remote rural setting where the community values close-knit relationships and support for local education.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center 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
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North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center — Students at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
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 13 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: 7.3/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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 8.4/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Lake Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest City Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably 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 | 5.9 |
| North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center | 0.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth | 18.9 mi | — |
| BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth | 18.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Blue Earth Area Elementary Blue Earth | 18.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth | 19.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Forest City Elementary School Forest City | 17.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Forest City High School Forest City | 17.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Forest City Middle School Forest City | 17.3 mi | 7.0 |
| West Hancock High School Britt | 21.5 mi | 8.3 |
| West Hancock Elementary School Britt | 21.6 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 9.0 |
| UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Wells | 26.1 mi | 7.9 |
| UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Wells | 26.1 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
| Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills | 21.0 mi | 8.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has a median household income of $58,125. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,200, with a median rent of $643/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 7.3 |
| Cardinal Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 7.3 |
| Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora, IA | 7.3 |
| English Valleys Elementary School North English, IA | 7.3 |
| Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma, IA | 7.3 |
| Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #306 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center's MySchoolScout rating?
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has a composite rating of 7.3 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 North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center has 72.4% math proficiency and 72.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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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
- Phone
- (641) 562-2525
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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