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Below Average

#1057 of 1,280 schools in IA

South Central Calhoun Elementary School

Elementary School · South Central Calhoun Comm School District

330 Brower Street, Rockwell City, IA 50579

Enrollment

307

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,057 of 1,280

In Rockwell City

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

South Central Calhoun Comm School District

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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South Central Calhoun Elementary School

4.6/10

Elementary School in Rockwell City · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Central Calhoun Middle School

4.7/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/high School

5.2/10

10.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South Central Calhoun Elementary School

South Central Calhoun Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rockwell City, IA, part of South Central Calhoun Comm School District. South Central Calhoun Elementary School serves approximately 307 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Central Calhoun Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,057 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for South Central Calhoun Elementary School show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below IA schools
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

South Central Calhoun Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-2.04 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.6% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,957
Chronic Absenteeism8.8%

South Central Calhoun Elementary School — Students at South Central Calhoun Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 85.6% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
76.7% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 72.6% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
69.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 20 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2017
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
84.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
84.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
81.4%
ELA
57.6%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How South Central Calhoun Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
18th percentile in IA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.8%

Location

330 Brower Street, Rockwell City, IA 50579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Calhoun Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fairview Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 24.9 miles away, in nearby Carroll), which scores notably higher. Another option is Paton-Churdan Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Churdan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rockwell City, see our Rockwell City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 1.1 mi 4.7
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 10.8 mi 5.2
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City 10.7 mi 7.4
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan 18.0 mi 7.0
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 18.0 mi 6.9
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 15.3 mi 7.0
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 23.3 mi
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 23.3 mi 6.8
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 23.5 mi 5.7
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden 23.7 mi 5.3
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden 23.7 mi 6.3
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 24.7 mi 4.5
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 19.5 mi 4.5
Carroll Middle School Carroll 24.1 mi 5.3
Carroll High School Carroll 24.3 mi 6.5
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 24.9 mi 9.2
Adams Elementary School Carroll 25.6 mi 5.6
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 26.4 mi 6.0
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 23.9 mi 5.8
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 23.9 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,464

Median Home Value

$136,800

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

3,176

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

79.5%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

40.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.6
Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA 4.6
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert, IA 4.6
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines, IA 4.6
Howe Elementary Des Moines, IA 4.6
Monroe Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Calhoun Elementary School

What grades does South Central Calhoun Elementary School serve?

South Central Calhoun Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend South Central Calhoun Elementary School?

South Central Calhoun Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Calhoun Elementary School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Calhoun Elementary School rank in IA?

South Central Calhoun Elementary School ranks #1,057 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Central Calhoun Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Calhoun Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 South Central Calhoun Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Central Calhoun Elementary School has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

Is South Central Calhoun Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is South Central Calhoun Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

48.9% of students at South Central Calhoun 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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Calhoun County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.8%

District

South Central Calhoun Comm School District
District Enrollment
915
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,957
District Rank
#3 of 3

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