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Very Good

#103 of 280 schools in VT

Top 36% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Rockingham School District

50 School Street Extension, Bellows Falls, VT 05101

Enrollment

180

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellows Falls

#1 of 3

public schools

Vermont elementary schools

#80 of 200

In district

#1 of 3

Rockingham School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in the heart of Bellows Falls, Vermont. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 180 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. With 14 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Central Elementary provides personalized attention to each child.

The academic performance at Central Elementary School is currently rated as needing improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 4.1 out of 10. The state ranking places the school at #162 out of 280 elementary schools in Vermont, indicating there's room for academic growth. In terms of proficiency rates, only 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 26% in Math.

Central Elementary School is situated in a remote town where the community values education and works together to support its children. The setting offers a close-knit environment that fosters strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students, making it a welcoming place for families looking for a nurturing educational experience.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 180 students, Central 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,169

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from VT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
27%
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: 9.2/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
64th percentile in VT
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

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

Location

50 School Street Extension, Bellows Falls, VT 05101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Walpole School (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby North Walpole), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westminster Schools (rated 8.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Charlestown Primary School (rated 7.6/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Charlestown), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bellows Falls, see our Bellows Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellows Falls Middle School Bellows Falls 0.2 mi 4.2
North Walpole School North Walpole 0.7 mi 8.6
Bellows Falls Union High School Bellows Falls 1.0 mi 5.9
COMPASS SCHOOL Westminster 1.0 mi 6.7
Walpole Primary School Walpole 3.4 mi 6.8
Walpole Elementary School Walpole 3.4 mi 7.0
Fall Mountain Regional High School Langdon 2.9 mi 5.7
Fall Mountain Regional -Pre School Program Langdon 3.0 mi
VERMONT ACADEMY Saxtons River 3.0 mi 8.0
Saxton River Elementary School Saxtons River 3.0 mi 4.3
Westminster Schools Westminster 4.3 mi 8.1
KURN HATTIN HOMES FOR CHILDREN Westminster 4.8 mi 7.2
KURN HATTIN HOMES Westminster 4.8 mi 6.9
Sarah Porter School Langdon 4.2 mi
Alstead Primary School Alstead 4.9 mi 6.2
Vilas Elementary School Alstead 5.0 mi 7.0
Charlestown Primary School Charlestown 6.8 mi 7.6
Charlestown Middle School Charlestown 7.1 mi 6.0
Springfield High School Springfield 10.4 mi 3.1
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL Putney 10.1 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 05101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,625

Median Home Value

$187,700

Median Rent

$1,081/mo

Population

4,135

College Educated

33.9%

Homeownership

64.7%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

46.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $71,625. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,700, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Shaftsbury Elementary School Shaftsbury, VT 7.1
Brighton Elementary School Island Pond, VT 7.0
Brownington Central School Brownington, VT 7.0
Berlin Elementary School Berlin, VT 7.2
Concord Graded/Middle School Concord, VT 6.9
Killington Elementary School Killington, VT 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 180 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in VT?

Central Elementary School is ranked #103 out of 280 schools in VT.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 25.8% math proficiency and 30.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

67.2% of students at Central 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

City Safety
Elevated (941/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellows Falls). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Windham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rockingham School District
District Enrollment
520
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,699
District Rank
#1 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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