Very Good
#281 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 22% in state
Southdale Elementary School
Elementary School · Cedar Falls Comm School District
627 Orchard Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#281 of 1,280
In Cedar Falls
#3 of 10
public schools
In district
#3 of 10
Cedar Falls Comm School District
Equity
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Southdale Elementary School
Elementary School in Cedar Falls · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Peet Junior High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Orchard Hill Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southdale Elementary School
Southdale Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cedar Falls, IA, part of Cedar Falls Comm School District. Southdale Elementary School serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Southdale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #281 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Southdale Elementary School show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 7.3
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southdale Elementary School — Students at Southdale Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.9/10.
How Southdale Elementary School Compares
See how Southdale 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
627 Orchard Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southdale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Irving Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a very similar rating. Another option is Orchard Hill Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Helen A Hansen Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cedar Falls, see our Cedar Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Falls | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Cedar Falls | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Cedar Falls High School Cedar Falls | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary Cedar Falls | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Central Middle School Waterloo | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Helen A Hansen Elementary School Cedar Falls | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Holmes Junior High School Cedar Falls | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| North Cedar Elementary School Cedar Falls | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| WATERLOO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waterloo | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Waterloo | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Kingsley Elementary School Waterloo | 4.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Hoover Middle School Waterloo | 4.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo | 4.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo | 4.8 mi | 8.0 |
| West High School Waterloo | 5.0 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50613 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,642
Median Home Value
$258,300
Median Rent
$1,176/mo
Population
43,680
College Educated
48.3%
Homeownership
64.7%
Avg Commute
14.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
30.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alexander Elementary Iowa City, IA | 7.8 |
| Center Point-Urbana Primary School Center Point, IA | 7.8 |
| Creston Elementary School Creston, IA | 7.8 |
| Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton, IA | 7.8 |
| Meadow View Elementary Adel, IA | 7.8 |
| Prairie Hill Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southdale Elementary School
What grades does Southdale Elementary School serve?
Southdale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Southdale Elementary School?
Southdale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southdale Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southdale Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southdale Elementary School rank in IA?
Southdale Elementary School ranks #281 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Southdale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southdale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Southdale Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southdale Elementary School has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Southdale Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southdale Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southdale Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southdale Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southdale Elementary School?
24.0% of students at Southdale 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 562
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Black Hawk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 5.9%
- Phone
- (319) 553-2900
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Falls Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 5,910
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,625
- District Rank
- #3 of 10
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