Very Good
#255 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 20% in state
Based on limited data
South Elementary School
Elementary School · Central Decatur Comm School District
201 SE 6th St, Leon, IA 50144
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on IA statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#255 of 1,280
In Leon
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Central Decatur Comm School District
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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South Elementary School
Elementary School in Leon · grades Pre-K – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Central Decatur Ms/hs High School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Elementary School
South Elementary School is a public elementary school in Leon, IA, part of Central Decatur Comm School District. South Elementary School serves approximately 171 students, and covers grades Pre-K-2nd, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. South Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #255 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Based on limited data: 40% component coverage.
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 7.7
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 171 students, South Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
South 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How South Elementary School Compares
See how South Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
201 SE 6th St, Leon, IA 50144
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. NORTH MERCER ELEM. (rated 8.9/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Mercer), which scores slightly higher. Another option is NORTH HARRISON ELEM. (rated 7.9/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Eagleville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mormon Trail Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Humeston), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Leon, see our Leon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| North Elementary School Leon | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Leon | 4.1 mi | — |
| Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni | 12.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Lamoni High School Lamoni | 12.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Lamoni Middle School Lamoni | 12.6 mi | 6.7 |
| POVERTY RIDGE AMISH SCHOOL Mercer | 14.3 mi | — |
| ZADIE CREEK SCHOOL Eagleville | 15.8 mi | — |
| Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston | 15.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston | 15.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola | 20.5 mi | 3.5 |
| CAINSVILLE ELEM. Cainsville | 20.6 mi | 4.2 |
| CAINSVILLE HIGH Cainsville | 20.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Clarke Community High School Osceola | 21.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Clarke Community Middle School Osceola | 21.3 mi | 3.8 |
| NORTH MERCER ELEM. Mercer | 19.2 mi | 8.9 |
| MERCER HIGH Mercer | 19.2 mi | 6.5 |
| NORTH HARRISON ELEM. Eagleville | 22.2 mi | 7.9 |
| NORTH HARRISON HIGH Eagleville | 22.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray | 23.6 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,511
Median Home Value
$122,200
Median Rent
$544/mo
Population
2,715
College Educated
14.7%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
38.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hawarden Elementary School Hawarden, IA | 7.9 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer, IA | 7.9 |
| North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center, IA | 7.9 |
| Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell, IA | 8.0 |
| Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA | 7.8 |
| Dallas Center Elementary Grimes, IA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Elementary School
What grades does South Elementary School serve?
South Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.
How many students attend South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 171 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Elementary School rank in IA?
South Elementary School ranks #255 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is South Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Elementary School?
75.4% of students at South 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 2nd
- Enrollment
- 171
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Decatur County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.8%
- Phone
- (641) 446-6521
Resources & Links
District
Central Decatur Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 668
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,664
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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