Cardinal Elementary School

Summary:

Cardinal Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 432 students in grades PK-5 in the diverse community of South Sioux City, Nebraska, which is part of the South Sioux City Community Schools district.

While Cardinal Elementary has consistently performed below the state average on standardized tests in English Language Arts and Mathematics, the school stands out for its strong performance on the 5th grade Science test, with 81% of students proficient or better, exceeding the state average. The school also ranks highly for its academic outcomes for Hispanic students and English Language Learners, indicating a focus on supporting these student populations. However, the school's overall statewide ranking has declined over the past decade, and it lags behind some higher-performing nearby schools like Ponca Elementary and Homer Elementary.

Cardinal Elementary serves a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 60.88% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the state average. This suggests the school may face unique challenges in meeting the needs of its diverse and disadvantaged student population. However, the school's high per-student spending of $16,177 in 2022-2023 indicates a commitment to providing additional resources and support for its students. Continued focus on improving academic outcomes, particularly in core subjects, and addressing equity concerns could help Cardinal Elementary better serve its community.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 820 E 29th Street
       South Sioux City, NE  68776-3345


(402) 494-1662

District: So Sioux City Community Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
314th of 459 Nebraska Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,177 Help


Students who attend Cardinal Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    South Sioux City Middle School
High:    South Sioux High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.7 Help
Number of students:  432

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
70.4%
White:
13.7%
African American:
6.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  60.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cardinal Elementary School ranks worse than 68.4% of elementary schools in Nebraska. It also ranks 2nd among 5 ranked elementary schools in the So Sioux City Community Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.94. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Cardinal Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the So Sioux City Community Schools District. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (70.4%), White (13.7%), African American (6.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 60.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the So Sioux City Community Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary School is 12.7. 3 elementary schools in the So Sioux City Community Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Cardinal Elementary School employs 33.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cardinal Elementary School is $16,177. 2 elementary schools in the So Sioux City Community Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Cardinal Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Cardinal Elementary School 314th of 459 Nebraska public elementary schools. (See Cardinal Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


So Sioux City Community Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks So Sioux City Community Schools 187th of 212 Nebraska school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Cardinal Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 50.95 242nd 418 42.1%
2007 69.61 114th 430 73.5%
2008 64.68 168th 478 64.9%
2009 56.58 240th 471 49.0%
2010 39.74 374th 502 25.5%
2011 14.07 439th 473 7.2%
2012 26.36 393rd 480 18.1%
2013 21.98 417th 485 14.0%
2014 33.41 353rd 483 26.9%
2015 32.52 371st 488 24.0%
2016 28.98 381st 480 20.6%
2017 54.38 218th 459 52.5%
2018 45.38 259th 450 42.4%
2019 61.95 155th 452 65.7%
2021 43.03 271st 442 38.7%
2022 39.12 296th 457 35.2%
2023 37.94 314th 459 31.6%
See the entire list of Nebraska Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.68 14th 63 77.8%
2019 87.11 3rd 60 95.0%
2021 67.37 12th 47 74.5%
2023 72.62 11th 76 85.5%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 68.45 72nd 281 74.4%
2019 84.18 20th 298 93.3%
2021 60.66 101st 264 61.7%
2022 70.16 63rd 259 75.7%
2023 56.94 133rd 312 57.4%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.87 152nd 341 55.4%
2019 65.75 106th 349 69.6%
2021 37.31 209th 318 34.3%
2022 38.81 197th 337 41.5%
2023 40.79 212th 349 39.3%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.52 252nd 347 27.4%
2019 57.84 149th 367 59.4%
2021 39.45 217th 328 33.8%
2022 36.00 233rd 356 34.6%
2023 30.98 276th 366 24.6%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.49 13th 81 84.0%
2019 90.32 2nd 90 97.8%
2021 80.25 8th 68 88.2%
2022 71.43 22nd 81 72.8%
2023 73.69 15th 108 86.1%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Cardinal Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.39 173rd 391 55.8%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Cardinal Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Cardinal Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1994 208 3 2 6 1 n/a n/a 0 220
1995 237 2 4 26 5 n/a n/a 0 274
1996 237 2 4 26 5 n/a n/a 0 274
1997 211 3 5 22 1 n/a n/a 0 242
1998 189 2 7 36 4 n/a n/a 0 238
1999 190 3 10 26 9 n/a n/a 25 263
2000 187 6 13 45 2 n/a n/a 0 253
2001 188 5 11 50 8 n/a n/a 0 262
2002 172 7 17 99 9 n/a n/a 0 304
2003 172 7 17 99 9 n/a n/a 0 304
2004 156 5 16 122 6 n/a n/a 0 305
2005 132 5 17 156 7 n/a n/a 0 317
2006 128 4 17 164 10 n/a n/a 0 323
2007 140 5 25 225 6 n/a n/a 0 401
2008 141 2 16 247 10 n/a n/a 0 416
2009 131 7 12 265 11 n/a n/a 0 426
2010 123 7 9 255 9 n/a n/a 0 403
2011 104 6 10 255 5 0 12 0 392
2012 106 5 11 252 4 0 14 0 392
2013 100 6 13 251 5 0 14 0 389
2014 111 7 17 252 10 0 7 0 404
2015 109 10 22 275 4 0 7 0 427
2016 98 21 21 281 8 2 6 0 437
2017 97 15 21 271 9 2 6 0 421
2018 78 18 20 265 14 2 14 0 411
2019 67 15 19 288 12 6 16 0 423
2020 65 16 16 265 9 9 15 0 395
2021 58 21 15 281 18 5 11 0 409
2022 54 17 13 277 15 7 10 0 393
2023 59 29 14 304 10 6 10 0 432

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 Cardinal Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 220 12.4 17.7 25
1995 274 15.2 18.0 10.6
1996 274 15.2 18.0 10.6
1997 242 14.2 17.0 15.3
1998 238 15.8 15.1 16.4
1999 263 16.0 16.4 24.8
2000 253 17.5 14.5 29.2
2001 262 19.9 13.2 17.6
2002 304 20.1 15.1 26
2003 304 20.1 15.1 26
2004 305 20.1 15.2 34.4
2005 317 21.8 14.5 44.2
2006 323 26.6 12.1 41.5
2007 401 27.6 14.5 39.2
2008 416 31.0 13.4 52.6
2009 426 31.4 13.6 56.1
2010 403 34.9 11.5 65.3
2011 392 35.6 11.0 65.8
2012 392 33.4 11.7 67.6
2013 389 34.4 11.2 70.2
2014 404 32.9 12.2 63.9
2015 427 34.0 12.5 60.7
2016 437 33.0 13.2 59.3
2017 421 32.8 12.8 62
2018 411 33.8 12.1 53.3
2019 423 33.6 12.5 53.4
2020 395 32.1 12.3 61
2021 409 34.2 11.9 65
2022 393 31.5 12.4 45
2023 432 33.9 12.7 60.9

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 Cardinal Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 220 12.4 17.7 25
1995 274 15.2 18.0 10.6
1996 274 15.2 18.0 10.6
1997 242 14.2 17.0 15.3
1998 238 15.8 15.1 16.4
1999 263 16.0 16.4 24.8
2000 253 17.5 14.5 29.2
2001 262 19.9 13.2 17.6
2002 304 20.1 15.1 26
2003 304 20.1 15.1 26
2004 305 20.1 15.2 34.4
2005 317 21.8 14.5 44.2
2006 323 26.6 12.1 41.5
2007 401 27.6 14.5 39.2
2008 416 31.0 13.4 52.6
2009 426 31.4 13.6 56.1
2010 403 34.9 11.5 65.3
2011 392 35.6 11.0 65.8
2012 392 33.4 11.7 67.6
2013 389 34.4 11.2 70.2
2014 404 32.9 12.2 63.9
2015 427 34.0 12.5 60.7
2016 437 33.0 13.2 59.3
2017 421 32.8 12.8 62
2018 411 33.8 12.1 53.3
2019 423 33.6 12.5 53.4
2020 395 32.1 12.3 61
2021 409 34.2 11.9 65
2022 393 31.5 12.4 45
2023 432 33.9 12.7 60.9

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 Cardinal Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $822 (6.3%) $11,394 (87.6%) $13,002
2020 $757 (5.7%) $11,641 (88.0%) $13,225
2021 $1,007 (6.8%) $13,057 (87.7%) $14,895
2022 $1,086 (7.0%) $13,426 (86.4%) $15,533
2023 $1,388 (8.6%) $13,737 (84.9%) $16,177

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Cardinal Elementary School

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 155th of 452 Elementary schoolsRanks 314th of 459 Elementary schools
 34.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal Elementary School)6649
 17%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (So Sioux City Community Schools)5145
 6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)5663
 7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cardinal Elementary School)5856
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (So Sioux City Community Schools)5450
 4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5558
 3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal Elementary School)6934
 35%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (So Sioux City Community Schools)5138
 13%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)5855
 3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cardinal Elementary School)5650
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (So Sioux City Community Schools)4057
 17%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5158
 7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cardinal Elementary School)5052
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (So Sioux City Community Schools)4847
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)4856
 8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cardinal Elementary School)5665
 9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (So Sioux City Community Schools)4966
 17%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)5465
 11%
5th Grade Science (Cardinal Elementary School)7681
 5%
   5th Grade Science (So Sioux City Community Schools)6377
 14%
   5th Grade Science (Nebraska)6876
 8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students423432
 2.1%
African American1529
 93.3%
American Indian1210
 16.7%
Asian1914
 26.3%
Hispanic288304
 5.6%
Pacific Islander66
White6759
 11.9%
Two or More Races1610
 37.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.4%60.9%
 7.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Cardinal Elementary School

Students at Cardinal Elementary School are 70% Hispanic, 14% White, 7% African American, 3% Asian, 2% American Indian, 2% Two or more races, 1% Pacific Islander.

Cardinal Elementary School ranks 314th of 459 Nebraska elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Cardinal Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : South Sioux City Middle School
High : South Sioux High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 432 students attended Cardinal Elementary School.


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