At a glance
Reported students
344
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
25.45
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
13.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
55th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
360
Buford Garner Elementary: 344 reported students.
State peer staffing position
55th percentile
13.5:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 446
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32.69
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.6:1
What the reported data says about Buford Garner Elementary
Buford Garner Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in North Liberty. It is one of 28 current school records connected to Iowa City Comm School District. NCES reports 344 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 55th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 13.5:1, close to the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (60.8%) and Black (13.4%). English learners represent 6.5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 12.1%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Buford Garner Elementary
- 1How do the reported 13.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 25.45 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 6.5%
- Students with disabilities
- 12.1%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 31.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White60.8%
- Hispanic11.6%
- Black13.4%
- Asian1.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.9%
- Multiracial11.9%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Iowa City Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Central Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
343 reported students
Helen Lemme Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
340 reported students
Longfellow Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
325 reported students
Wickham Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
315 reported students
James Van Allen Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
376 reported students
Grant Wood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
306 reported students
Public schools near Buford Garner Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Elementary School Elementary · Iowa City Comm School District | PK–05 | 512 | 0.4 mi |
| Christine Grant Elementary Elementary · Iowa City Comm School District | PK–05 | 426 | 1 mi |
| James Van Allen Elementary School Elementary · Iowa City Comm School District | PK–05 | 376 | 1.1 mi |
| North Bend Elementary Elementary · Clear Creek Amana Comm School District | KG–03 | 326 | 1.8 mi |
| East Ridge Elementary Elementary · Clear Creek Amana Comm School District | 04–05 | 442 | 2.8 mi |
| Wickham Elementary Elementary · Iowa City Comm School District | PK–05 | 315 | 2.8 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Buford Garner Elementary
What grades does Buford Garner Elementary serve?
Buford Garner Elementary reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Iowa City Comm School District.
How many students attend Buford Garner Elementary?
Buford Garner Elementary reported 344 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 55th percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 446 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Buford Garner Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 13.5:1, based on 344 students and 25.45 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 13.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Buford Garner Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Buford Garner Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Iowa City Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Buford Garner Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
31.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Buford Garner Elementary in?
Buford Garner Elementary is part of Iowa City Comm School District, based in Iowa City, IA, which operates 28 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Buford Garner Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Penn Elementary School (0.4 mi), Christine Grant Elementary (1 mi), James Van Allen Elementary School (1.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.