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Average

#894 of 1,280 schools in IA

Paton-churdan Elementary

Elementary School · Paton-Churdan Comm School District

PO BOX 157 606 Adrian St, Churdan, IA 50050

Enrollment

87

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Churdan

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#487 of 662

In district

#2 of 2

Paton-Churdan Comm School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Paton-churdan Elementary

Paton-Churdan Elementary is a small, rural elementary school located in Churdan, Greene County, Iowa. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 87 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, ensuring individualized attention for each child. The dedicated staff comprises 11 full-time equivalent teachers who focus on fostering a strong educational foundation in reading, math, and science.

According to statewide assessments, Paton-Churdan Elementary performs well in mathematics, with 81% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Reading scores are also solid at 68%, while 73% of students show proficiency in science. Although the school's overall ranking is modest at #709 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (45th percentile), it offers a nurturing environment that prioritizes student development and community engagement.

Situated in a remote rural setting, Paton-Churdan Elementary benefits from close-knit relationships within its tight-knit community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 87 students, Paton-churdan Elementary 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Paton-churdan Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Paton-churdan Elementary 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 Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,950

Paton-churdan Elementary — Students at Paton-churdan Elementary score 70% 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 80.9%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 68.2%
School
State
72.3%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
80.7%
ELA
68.5%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Paton-churdan Elementary Compares

See how Paton-churdan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
30th percentile in IA
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO BOX 157 606 Adrian St, Churdan, IA 50050

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paton-churdan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Adams Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Carroll), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Central Calhoun Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Rockwell City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Churdan, see our Churdan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 0.0 mi 6.6
Greene County High School Jefferson 10.0 mi 6.1
Greene County Elementary Jefferson 11.8 mi 6.4
Greene County Middle School Jefferson 12.1 mi 5.8
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden 14.6 mi 6.6
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden 14.6 mi 6.7
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 18.0 mi 7.1
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City 15.5 mi 5.8
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 18.3 mi 4.8
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids 22.1 mi 5.2
Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids 22.1 mi 7.7
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 24.6 mi 7.0
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 26.1 mi 4.9
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 20.3 mi 6.5
Carroll Middle School Carroll 20.2 mi 5.1
Carroll High School Carroll 20.3 mi 6.7
Adams Elementary School Carroll 20.9 mi 7.2
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 21.2 mi 6.0
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 22.7 mi 5.9
Dayton Center Dayton 22.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,875

Median Home Value

$102,300

Median Rent

$919/mo

Population

758

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

87.3%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paton-churdan Elementary has a median household income of $66,875. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,300, with a median rent of $919/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven, IA 5.7
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Waverly, IA 5.8
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Boone, IA 5.8
LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Williamsburg, IA 5.6
SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona, IA 5.6
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg, IA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paton-churdan Elementary

What grades does Paton-churdan Elementary serve?

Paton-churdan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Paton-churdan Elementary?

Paton-churdan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paton-churdan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Paton-churdan Elementary is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paton-churdan Elementary rank in IA?

Paton-churdan Elementary is ranked #894 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Paton-churdan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Paton-churdan Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Paton-churdan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paton-churdan Elementary has 80.9% math proficiency and 68.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paton-churdan Elementary a charter school?

No, Paton-churdan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paton-churdan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Paton-churdan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paton-churdan Elementary?

54.0% of students at Paton-churdan Elementary 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
Average (470/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Greene County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paton-Churdan Comm School District
District Enrollment
185
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,016
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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