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#771 of 1,280 schools in IA

Sioux Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Sioux Central Comm School District

4440 U.S. Hwy 71, Sioux Rapids, IA 50585

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sioux Rapids

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#427 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Sioux Central Comm School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Sioux Central Elementary School

Sioux Central Elementary School serves 234 students in grades PK through 5 in the rural community of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. This well-regarded public elementary school maintains a strong academic reputation, ranking #121 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels.

With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, Sioux Central Elementary provides an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, allowing for more personalized attention and instruction. Students at Sioux Central Elementary benefit from small class sizes that foster close relationships between educators and learners. The school's consistent performance across both core academic areas demonstrates a balanced approach to elementary education, preparing students well for their continued academic journey.

Located on U.S. Highway 71 in Buena Vista County, Sioux Central Elementary sits in a close-knit rural community where the median household income is $68,676 and the poverty rate remains low at 4.2%. The school serves families in this remote rural area of Iowa, where traditional values and community connections remain strong.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sioux Central Elementary School 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 Progress3.9Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)79%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,197

Sioux Central Elementary School — Students at Sioux Central Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.0%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 72.4%
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
77%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
68.9%
ELA
72.7%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Sioux Central Elementary School Compares

See how Sioux Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in IA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

4440 U.S. Hwy 71, Sioux Rapids, IA 50585

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sioux Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Albert City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alta Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Alta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clay Central-Everly Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Royal), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sioux Rapids, see our Sioux Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 0.0 mi 5.9
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 0.0 mi 6.8
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 11.9 mi 8.8
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 15.8 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 15.8 mi 2.4
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 14.7 mi 8.1
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 16.0 mi 7.7
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 15.7 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 16.1 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 16.2 mi 4.6
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 17.8 mi 5.2
Alta Elementary School Alta 16.5 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 16.5 mi 7.5
Spencer High School Spencer 18.4 mi 5.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 18.8 mi 7.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 19.0 mi 6.8
Spencer Middle School Spencer 19.2 mi 5.9
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 19.3 mi 3.9
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 19.6 mi 6.2
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 15.2 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50585 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,179

Median Home Value

$99,200

Median Rent

$641/mo

Population

1,165

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

86.5%

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sioux Central Elementary School has a median household income of $70,179. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,200, with a median rent of $641/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA 6.0
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah, IA 6.0
Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing, IA 6.0
Irwin Elementary School Irwin, IA 6.0
Janesville Elementary School Janesville, IA 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sioux Central Elementary School

What grades does Sioux Central Elementary School serve?

Sioux Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sioux Central Elementary School?

Sioux Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central Elementary School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sioux Central Elementary School rank in IA?

Sioux Central Elementary School is ranked #771 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Sioux Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sioux Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Sioux Central Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sioux Central Elementary School has 73.0% math proficiency and 72.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sioux Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Sioux Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sioux Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sioux Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sioux Central Elementary School?

20.5% of students at Sioux Central 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (169/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Buena Vista County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sioux Central Comm School District
District Enrollment
639
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,034
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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