- Enrollment
- 182
- Students per teacher
- 14:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Elkader, IA
Central Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Central Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 55/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 190684000293
👥 S:T ratio 31
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 64
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elementary earns 55/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 86% of Iowa schools.
- 55
- Resource Index · Higher
- 17.2:1
- large classes for Iowa
- 36.9%
- free-lunch eligible
- 292
- students enrolled
Central Elementary has class sizes larger than 86% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
School address
District: Central Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 190684000293 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+14 students YoY
Central Elementary grew from 263 students in 2022-23 to 277 in 2023-24 (+5.3%).
Teacher FTE added 17.2 → 18.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+14 students YoY 190684000293 · Elkader, IA Other · SMALL · TRAD
292 enr · 17.2:1 · 36.9% lunch · RII 55
Nearest enrollment peer: Central Middle School/High School (182 students)
Central Elementary grew from 263 students in 2022-23 to 277 in 2023-24 (+5.3%). Teacher FTE added 17.2 → 18.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
How Central Elementary compares
Central Elementary is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 17.2:1 | ▲ 16% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 36.9% | ▲ 1% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 292 | top 54% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
17.2:1
Leaner classes than 29% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
292
Bigger than 31% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
36.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 1% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
17.2:1
students per teacher
- 16% above state mean
Top 86% in Iowa - lower ratio than 14% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
14.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$12,478
per pupil, district-wide
- below Iowa avg of $13,441
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.7 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 88.0%
Hispanic or Latino 6.5%
Two or More 5.5%
Largest group: White at 88.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 21.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 21.8, Central Elementary is less mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Central Comm School District reports $12,478 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Middle School/High School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
Similar other schools in Elkader
1 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~292 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elementary
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has 292 students enrolled. It is a public school in Elkader, IA. CCD year-over-year: 263 (2022-23) → 277 (2023-24), up 14.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 17.2:1, which is 16% higher than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 10% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elementary?
36.9% of students at Central Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Central Elementary is White at 88.0% of enrollment, in Elkader, IA.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 55/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
What other schools are in Central Comm School District?
Besides Central Elementary, Central Comm School District also operates Central Middle School/High School (182 students). See the Central Comm School District district page for the complete list.