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 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
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
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
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.
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
- Phone
- (641) 446-6521
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Decatur Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 668
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,664
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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