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Very Good

#163 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 13% in state

Based on limited data

South Elementary School

Elementary School · Central Decatur Comm School District

201 SE 6th St, Leon, IA 50144

Estimated Score

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

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Leon

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#119 of 662

In district

#2 of 3

Central Decatur Comm School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About South Elementary School

South Elementary School serves 171 students in pre-kindergarten through second grade in Leon, Iowa, providing early childhood education with personalized attention through its 10.7-to-1 student-teacher ratio. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school has earned recognition as a strong performer, ranking #199 out of 1,288 schools statewide and placing in the 85th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. The school focuses on building foundational skills during these crucial early learning years, serving young learners in a small-scale environment that allows for individualized instruction and close teacher-student relationships.

The low student-teacher ratio creates opportunities for teachers to address each child's unique developmental needs during this critical period of academic and social growth. Located at 201 SE 6th Street in the heart of Leon, South Elementary draws from a stable community in Decatur County where the median household income reaches $67,518 and home values average $120,800. The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 4.5%, contributing to a supportive environment for student success.

This elementary school operates in Iowa's remote rural setting, serving families in a close-knit agricultural community of approximately 2,579 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 171 students, South Elementary School 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.

Located in a rural area, South 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on IA state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,169

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
87th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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 9.8/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Mercer), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH HARRISON ELEM. (rated 9.1/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Eagleville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.8
North Elementary School Leon 0.9 mi 8.3
FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Leon 4.1 mi
Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni 12.6 mi 5.1
Lamoni High School Lamoni 12.6 mi 3.9
Lamoni Middle School Lamoni 12.6 mi 5.9
POVERTY RIDGE AMISH SCHOOL Mercer 14.3 mi
ZADIE CREEK SCHOOL Eagleville 15.8 mi
Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston 15.3 mi 7.8
Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston 15.3 mi 4.6
Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola 20.5 mi 5.3
CAINSVILLE ELEM. Cainsville 20.6 mi 4.8
CAINSVILLE HIGH Cainsville 20.6 mi 5.9
Clarke Community High School Osceola 21.3 mi 4.1
Clarke Community Middle School Osceola 21.3 mi 4.8
NORTH MERCER ELEM. Mercer 19.2 mi 9.8
MERCER HIGH Mercer 19.2 mi 7.9
NORTH HARRISON ELEM. Eagleville 22.2 mi 9.1
NORTH HARRISON HIGH Eagleville 22.2 mi 8.1
Murray Elementary School Murray 23.6 mi 3.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Elementary School has a median household income of $64,511. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,200, with a median rent of $544/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Amana Elementary School Middle Amana, IA 7.8
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart, IA 7.8
Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston, IA 7.8
Corning Elementary School Corning, IA 7.7
H-L-V Elementary School Victor, IA 7.7
John Glenn Elementary School Donahue, IA 7.7

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 is ranked #163 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Decatur Comm School District
District Enrollment
668
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,664
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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