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North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

Summary:

North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is a public elementary school serving 256 students in grades PK-5 in Buffalo Center, Iowa, which is part of the North Iowa Community School District.

The school has generally strong academic performance, with students scoring above the state average in most subject areas and grade levels. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students outperformed the state average in English Language Arts and Science, but underperformed in Mathematics. Compared to the nearby North Kossuth Elementary School and Forest City Elementary School, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center's performance is mixed, with some grade levels and subjects outperforming the other schools, while others underperforming.

The school has seen fluctuations in its statewide ranking, ranging from a high of 45th out of 603 Iowa elementary schools in 2013-2014 to a low of 391st out of 616 in 2014-2015. In the most recent school year (2023-2024), the school ranked 197th out of 557 Iowa elementary schools and received a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, placing it in the middle range compared to the nearby schools. Additionally, the school has seen an increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 31.15% in 2020-2021 to 45.31% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the 38.6% rate at Forest City Elementary School.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 111 3rd Ave NW
       Buffalo Center, IA  50424

(641) 562-2525

District: North Iowa Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
197th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,778 Help


Students who attend North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center usually attend:

Middle:    North Iowa Middle School
High:    North Iowa High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.6 Help
Number of students:  231

Racial breakdown:

White:
86.6%
Hispanic:
11.3%
Two or more races:
1.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  48.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center ranks better than 64.6% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.31. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (86.6%), Hispanic (11.3%), two or more races (1.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 48.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is 14.6. (See more...)
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Compare North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center employs 15.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center is $12,778.
Schooldigger Rankings:

North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

North Iowa Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks North Iowa Community School District 168th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 55.18 331st 626 47.1%
2013 70.63 145th 624 76.8%
2014 82.80 45th 603 92.5%
2015 49.94 391st 616 36.5%
2016 70.67 167th 599 72.1%
2017 76.87 101st 574 82.4%
2018 75.17 117th 567 79.4%
2019 56.03 286th 603 52.6%
2021 59.79 241st 567 57.5%
2022 67.44 195th 574 66.0%
2023 74.68 119th 565 78.9%
2024 65.31 197th 557 64.6%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 212 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 213
1989 224 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 224
1990 179 0 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 183
1991 189 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 192
1992 182 0 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 185
1993 117 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 119
1994 108 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 108
1995 90 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 93
1996 90 0 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 93
1997 107 0 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 116
1998 120 0 1 9 0 n/a n/a 0 130
1999 189 0 1 10 0 n/a n/a 0 200
2000 216 0 1 6 0 n/a n/a -18 205
2001 195 0 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 203
2002 208 0 0 12 1 n/a n/a 0 221
2003 208 0 0 12 1 n/a n/a 0 221
2004 202 0 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 211
2005 202 11 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 214
2006 196 9 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 206
2007 191 7 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 199
2008 170 6 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 177
2009 203 6 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 210
2010 174 1 2 15 0 0 2 0 194
2011 187 0 2 19 1 0 2 0 211
2012 182 1 1 22 0 0 2 0 208
2013 185 1 0 24 0 0 1 0 211
2014 197 2 0 34 0 0 1 0 234
2015 183 1 0 35 0 0 1 0 220
2016 199 1 1 42 0 0 3 0 246
2017 206 4 0 37 0 0 2 0 249
2018 205 2 0 43 0 0 2 0 252
2019 219 2 0 33 1 0 2 0 257
2020 191 1 0 35 0 0 0 0 227
2021 215 1 0 27 0 1 0 0 244
2022 228 1 0 28 0 1 1 0 259
2023 225 1 0 27 0 1 2 0 256
2024 200 1 0 26 0 1 3 0 231

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 North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 213 10.9 19.5 n/a
1989 224 10.9 20.5 13.8
1990 183 10.0 18.3 0
1991 192 10.5 18.2 12
1992 185 12.0 15.4 13
1993 119 7.1 16.8 16.8
1994 108 5.6 19.3 16.7
1995 93 6.0 15.5 17.2
1996 93 6.0 15.5 17.2
1997 116 6.6 17.6 21.6
1998 130 7.7 16.9 23.8
1999 200 7.7 26.0 39.5
2000 205 14.5 14.1 37.2
2001 203 16.3 12.5 41.4
2002 221 21.0 10.5 31.7
2003 221 21.0 10.5 31.7
2004 211 17.2 12.3 40.8
2005 214 17.9 12.0 40.7
2006 206 17.9 11.5 41.3
2007 199 15.8 12.6 39.2
2008 177 15.6 11.3 40.7
2009 210 19.5 10.8 41.9
2010 194 18.9 10.2 43.3
2011 211 16.0 13.1 38.9
2012 208 16.3 12.6 42.8
2013 211 17.9 11.7 41.7
2014 234 18.1 12.8 47
2015 220 17.0 12.9 50.9
2016 246 18.0 13.6 50
2017 249 18.1 13.7 42.6
2018 252 16.0 15.7 42.9
2019 257 15.8 16.2 38.9
2020 227 16.4 13.8 42.3
2021 244 14.6 16.7 31.1
2022 259 13.6 18.9 34.4
2023 256 13.7 18.6 45.3
2024 231 15.7 14.6 48.5

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 North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 213 10.9 19.5 n/a
1989 224 10.9 20.5 13.8
1990 183 10.0 18.3 0
1991 192 10.5 18.2 12
1992 185 12.0 15.4 13
1993 119 7.1 16.8 16.8
1994 108 5.6 19.3 16.7
1995 93 6.0 15.5 17.2
1996 93 6.0 15.5 17.2
1997 116 6.6 17.6 21.6
1998 130 7.7 16.9 23.8
1999 200 7.7 26.0 39.5
2000 205 14.5 14.1 37.2
2001 203 16.3 12.5 41.4
2002 221 21.0 10.5 31.7
2003 221 21.0 10.5 31.7
2004 211 17.2 12.3 40.8
2005 214 17.9 12.0 40.7
2006 206 17.9 11.5 41.3
2007 199 15.8 12.6 39.2
2008 177 15.6 11.3 40.7
2009 210 19.5 10.8 41.9
2010 194 18.9 10.2 43.3
2011 211 16.0 13.1 38.9
2012 208 16.3 12.6 42.8
2013 211 17.9 11.7 41.7
2014 234 18.1 12.8 47
2015 220 17.0 12.9 50.9
2016 246 18.0 13.6 50
2017 249 18.1 13.7 42.6
2018 252 16.0 15.7 42.9
2019 257 15.8 16.2 38.9
2020 227 16.4 13.8 42.3
2021 244 14.6 16.7 31.1
2022 259 13.6 18.9 34.4
2023 256 13.7 18.6 45.3
2024 231 15.7 14.6 48.5

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 North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,027 (8.0%) $11,751 (92.0%) $12,778

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

Impact of COVID-19 on North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

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 286th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 119th of 565 Elementary schools
 26.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center)71.982.5
 10.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (North Iowa Community School District)71.982.5
 10.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center)71.992.5
 20.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Iowa Community School District)71.992.5
 20.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center)77.580
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (North Iowa Community School District)77.580
 2.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center)67.577.1
 9.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Iowa Community School District)67.577.1
 9.6%
   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 Students257256
 0.4%
African American21
 50%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian00
Hispanic3327
 18.2%
Pacific Islander01
White219225
 2.7%
Two or More Races22
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients38.9%45.3%
 6.4%

Schools Near North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center








Frequently Asked Questions about North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center

North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center ranks 197th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 231 students attended North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center.

Students at North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center are 87% White, 11% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

Students who attend North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center usually go on to attend:

Middle : North Iowa Middle School
High : North Iowa High 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 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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