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Very Good

#383 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 30% in state

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

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rockwell City

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#244 of 662

In district

#1 of 3

South Central Calhoun Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About South Central Calhoun Elementary School

South Central Calhoun Elementary School serves 307 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade in Rockwell City, Iowa. This regular public school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking an impressive #122 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.

Students show particularly robust achievement in mathematics, with 87% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Reading and English language arts performance is also solid, with 72% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $63,893 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.1%.

With median home values around $115,200, the area offers affordable family living, though only 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. South Central Calhoun Elementary provides a strong educational foundation in Calhoun County's remote rural setting, where the close-knit community of approximately 3,100 residents values the personal connections and individual attention that smaller schools can offer.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Central Calhoun 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 Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,490

South Central Calhoun Elementary School — Students at South Central Calhoun Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

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 81.2%
School
State
76.7%
ELA Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
69.1%

Based on 8 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
72%
ELA
67%
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: 5.3/10.

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
7.1/10
70th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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. East Sac County Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Sac City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Adams Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 25.6 miles away, in nearby Carroll), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Barnum), with a very similar rating. 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 4.8
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 10.8 mi 4.9
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City 10.7 mi 5.8
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan 18.0 mi 5.7
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 18.0 mi 6.6
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 5.4
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 23.5 mi 5.8
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden 23.7 mi 6.6
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden 23.7 mi 6.7
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 24.7 mi 4.7
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 19.5 mi 8.0
Carroll Middle School Carroll 24.1 mi 5.1
Carroll High School Carroll 24.3 mi 6.7
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 24.9 mi 6.5
Adams Elementary School Carroll 25.6 mi 7.2
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 26.4 mi 6.0
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 23.9 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 23.9 mi 6.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Central Calhoun Elementary School has a median household income of $69,464. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,800, with a median rent of $760/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Bronson Elementary School Bronson, IA 7.1
East Elementary School Independence, IA 7.1
George Washington Elementary School Keokuk, IA 7.1
Highland Elementary School Riverside, IA 7.1
Hunt Elementary School Sioux City, IA 7.1
Lincoln Center Albia, IA 7.1

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 is ranked #383 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

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

South Central Calhoun Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 South Central Calhoun Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central Calhoun Elementary School has 81.2% math proficiency and 62.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Central Calhoun Comm School District
District Enrollment
915
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,957
District Rank
#1 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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