Central Elementary

Summary:

Central Elementary is a public elementary school located in Elkader, Iowa, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 263 students. The school is part of the Central Community School District, which is ranked 156 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central Elementary consistently outperforms the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, the school had 90% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 64.2%. The school's performance is also significantly higher than the Central Community School District average, indicating that Central Elementary is a strong performer within its own district. The school spends $15,237 per student, which is higher than the state average and some nearby schools, such as Edgewood-Colesburg Elementary School ($11,286 per student) and McGregor Intermediate School ($8,864 per student).

While Central Elementary has maintained a strong academic performance, the school has a predominantly white student population, with over 90% of students identifying as white in recent years. This is in contrast to some nearby schools, such as Cora B Darling Elementary, which has a much more diverse student body with only 23.4% white students. Additionally, Central Elementary has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 37.35% to 46.77% in recent years, which is higher than the state average and suggests a significant population of economically disadvantaged students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 400 1st Street NW
       Elkader, IA  52043


(563) 245-1472

District: Central Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
152nd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,237 Help


Students who attend Central Elementary usually attend:

High:    Central Middle School/High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.2 Help
Number of students:  263

Racial breakdown:

White:
92.0%
Hispanic:
3.4%
Two or more races:
3.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  46.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Central Elementary ranks better than 72.7% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 70.81. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (92%), Hispanic (3.4%), two or more races (3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 46.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 15.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Elementary employs 17.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary is $15,237.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Central Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Central Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Community School District 156th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Central Elementary

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 60.90 265th 626 57.7%
2013 61.37 264th 624 57.7%
2014 56.61 312th 603 48.3%
2015 58.58 292nd 616 52.6%
2016 33.69 465th 599 22.4%
2017 36.22 433rd 574 24.6%
2018 56.52 291st 567 48.7%
2019 45.19 372nd 603 38.3%
2021 56.50 273rd 567 51.9%
2022 69.56 179th 574 68.8%
2023 61.18 232nd 565 58.9%
2024 70.81 152nd 557 72.7%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Central Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Central Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 269 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 270
1989 269 0 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 270
1990 274 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 275
1991 242 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 243
1992 241 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 241
1993 218 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 218
1994 197 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 197
1995 195 0 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 196
1996 195 0 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 196
1997 188 2 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 192
1998 191 2 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 194
1999 188 2 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 192
2000 186 3 0 0 0 n/a n/a -18 171
2001 168 1 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 172
2002 149 0 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 151
2003 149 0 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 151
2004 148 0 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 150
2005 260 0 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 263
2006 255 0 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 257
2007 263 1 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 266
2008 244 1 2 0 1 n/a n/a 0 248
2009 271 2 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 275
2010 273 1 0 1 2 1 2 0 280
2011 220 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 225
2012 239 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 241
2013 241 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 243
2014 239 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 246
2015 233 0 0 7 0 0 4 0 244
2016 232 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 242
2017 207 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 217
2018 193 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 200
2019 147 0 1 3 0 0 5 0 156
2020 212 1 1 6 0 0 7 0 227
2021 208 4 1 9 0 0 7 0 229
2022 232 4 0 8 0 0 5 0 249
2023 242 4 0 9 0 0 8 0 263

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 270 13.7 19.7 n/a
1989 270 13.9 19.4 4.4
1990 275 14.7 18.7 5.5
1991 243 13.7 17.7 5.8
1992 241 13.0 18.5 5.4
1993 218 12.4 17.6 5.5
1994 197 11.4 17.3 6.1
1995 196 11.6 16.9 22.4
1996 196 11.6 16.9 22.4
1997 192 11.6 16.6 17.7
1998 194 12.1 16.0 18.6
1999 192 12.7 15.1 29.7
2000 171 11.4 15.0 28.6
2001 172 11.6 14.8 37.2
2002 151 10.5 14.4 37.7
2003 151 10.5 14.4 37.7
2004 150 10.7 14.0 38
2005 263 20.2 13.0 36.5
2006 257 18.5 13.9 39.3
2007 266 20.0 13.3 36.1
2008 248 20.7 12.0 33.5
2009 275 18.5 14.9 33.8
2010 280 19.3 14.5 35.4
2011 225 18.2 12.3 38.7
2012 241 16.8 14.3 40.7
2013 243 16.9 14.3 40.7
2014 246 14.9 16.5 35.8
2015 244 15.0 16.2 34.4
2016 242 15.0 16.1 33.9
2017 217 17.2 12.5 39.6
2018 200 14.3 13.9 30.5
2019 156 15.2 10.2 35.9
2020 227 15.1 15.0 35.2
2021 229 15.1 15.1 41.9
2022 249 15.0 16.5 37.3
2023 263 17.2 15.2 46.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 270 13.7 19.7 n/a
1989 270 13.9 19.4 4.4
1990 275 14.7 18.7 5.5
1991 243 13.7 17.7 5.8
1992 241 13.0 18.5 5.4
1993 218 12.4 17.6 5.5
1994 197 11.4 17.3 6.1
1995 196 11.6 16.9 22.4
1996 196 11.6 16.9 22.4
1997 192 11.6 16.6 17.7
1998 194 12.1 16.0 18.6
1999 192 12.7 15.1 29.7
2000 171 11.4 15.0 28.6
2001 172 11.6 14.8 37.2
2002 151 10.5 14.4 37.7
2003 151 10.5 14.4 37.7
2004 150 10.7 14.0 38
2005 263 20.2 13.0 36.5
2006 257 18.5 13.9 39.3
2007 266 20.0 13.3 36.1
2008 248 20.7 12.0 33.5
2009 275 18.5 14.9 33.8
2010 280 19.3 14.5 35.4
2011 225 18.2 12.3 38.7
2012 241 16.8 14.3 40.7
2013 243 16.9 14.3 40.7
2014 246 14.9 16.5 35.8
2015 244 15.0 16.2 34.4
2016 242 15.0 16.1 33.9
2017 217 17.2 12.5 39.6
2018 200 14.3 13.9 30.5
2019 156 15.2 10.2 35.9
2020 227 15.1 15.0 35.2
2021 229 15.1 15.1 41.9
2022 249 15.0 16.5 37.3
2023 263 17.2 15.2 46.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $509 (3.3%) $14,727 (96.7%) $15,237

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 372nd of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 232nd of 565 Elementary schools
 20.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary)73.376.7
 3.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Central Community School District)73.376.7
 3.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary)76.790
 13.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Central Community School District)76.790
 13.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary)5566.7
 11.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Central Community School District)5566.7
 11.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary)5083.3
 33.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Central Community School District)5083.3
 33.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students156263
 68.6%
African American04
American Indian00
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic39
 200%
Pacific Islander00
White147242
 64.6%
Two or More Races58
 60%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients35.9%46.8%
 10.9%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary

Central Elementary ranks 152nd of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Central Elementary are 92% White, 3% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Students who attend Central Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Central Middle School/High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 263 students attended Central Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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