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
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Paton-churdan Elementary — Students at Paton-churdan Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54%
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: 3.3/10.
How Paton-churdan Elementary Compares
See how Paton-churdan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (515) 389-3111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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