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Below Average

#864 of 966 schools in NE

Cardinal Elementary School

Elementary School · SO SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHS

820 E 29TH STREET, So Sioux City, NE 68776

Enrollment

434

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In So Sioux City

#5 of 7

public schools

Nebraska elementary schools

#458 of 530

In district

#5 of 8

SO SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHS

About Cardinal Elementary School

Cardinal Elementary School is a public elementary school in South Sioux City, Nebraska, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 434 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school ensures that each child receives individual attention. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 33 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering a nurturing learning environment.

Cardinal Elementary School’s academic performance is currently rated at 4.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 731st out of 974 schools in Nebraska, placing it in the 25th percentile. The school's ELA/reading proficiency rate stands at 47%, while math proficiency reaches 52% across all grades, indicating areas for continued growth. Situated in a mid-size suburb, Cardinal Elementary School is part of a community that values education and supports its young learners.

Despite the room for academic improvement shown by test scores, the school remains committed to developing well-rounded students through its comprehensive curriculum and supportive teaching methods.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,919

Cardinal Elementary School — Students at Cardinal Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
37%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Cardinal Elementary School Compares

See how Cardinal Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in NE
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

820 E 29TH STREET, So Sioux City, NE 68776

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cardinal Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Spalding Park Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Sioux City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hunt Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Sioux City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Liberty Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Sioux City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in So Sioux City, see our So Sioux City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOL So Sioux City 0.3 mi 4.6
SOUTH SIOUX CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL So Sioux City 0.4 mi 5.6
E N SWETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 0.5 mi 5.6
COVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 0.7 mi 3.9
HARNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL So Sioux City 1.0 mi 6.7
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL South Sioux City 1.2 mi 6.2
LEWIS & CLARK ELEMENTARY SCH So Sioux City 1.5 mi 3.5
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sioux City 2.4 mi
Irving Preschool Sioux City 2.5 mi
Irving Elementary School Sioux City 2.7 mi 6.2
BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sioux City 2.9 mi 6.4
Morningside Elementary Sioux City 2.2 mi 4.9
BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Sioux City 2.9 mi 6.0
MATER DEI SCHOOL Sioux City 2.5 mi 6.7
DAKOTA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dakota City 3.2 mi 3.8
MATER DEI SCHOOL NATIVITY CENTER Sioux City 2.6 mi 7.3
Spalding Park Elementary Sioux City 2.7 mi 7.2
BOYS & GIRLS HOME FAMILY SERVICES Sioux City 3.5 mi 7.4
Liberty Elementary School Sioux City 3.4 mi 6.9
Hunt Elementary School Sioux City 4.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 68776 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,686

Median Home Value

$161,100

Median Rent

$1,069/mo

Population

15,034

College Educated

15.5%

Homeownership

58.2%

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

31.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cardinal Elementary School has a median household income of $68,686. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,100, with a median rent of $1,069/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CASTELAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 4.2
GILDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 4.2
HICKORY HILL ELEMENTARY SCH Papillion, NE 4.2
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hastings, NE 4.2
LOST CREEK ELEMENTARY SCH Columbus, NE 4.2
PADDOCK ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Omaha, NE 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cardinal Elementary School

What grades does Cardinal Elementary School serve?

Cardinal Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cardinal Elementary School?

Cardinal Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cardinal Elementary School rank in NE?

Cardinal Elementary School is ranked #864 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Cardinal Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cardinal Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Cardinal Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Elementary School has 52.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cardinal Elementary School a charter school?

No, Cardinal Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cardinal Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cardinal Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Elementary School?

67.1% of students at Cardinal 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

County Safety
Average (356/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Dakota County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SO SIOUX CITY COMMUNITY SCHS
District Enrollment
3,801
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,558
District Rank
#5 of 8

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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