The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Math. The lowest is 61% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Exira-elk Horn-kimballton Elementary
Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary serves the youngest students in its district, covering prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small Audubon County town of Exira. The school is the elementary arm of a consolidated rural district formed a few years ago when the Exira and Elk Horn–Kimballton systems joined, a move that reflects a broader trend of shrinking rural enrollments and resource sharing.
On state assessments, the school’s results in math are notably stronger than in reading and science. Most tested students met the proficiency bar in math, while roughly two-thirds did so in English language arts and a similar share in science. Families looking closely at elementary academics will find a clear strength in math instruction, while the ELA and science figures, though not weak, sit at a level a parent might want to discuss with the school to understand how those subjects are addressed across the primary grades. Only a single year of test data was available, so there is no trend to examine yet.
The student body is small and overwhelmingly white, with a very small number of students identifying as Black, Hispanic, or multiracial. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a share that aligns with the area’s rural agricultural economy. Class sizes are modest, and the school runs a single section per grade, so children grow up through the elementary years with the same cohort of peers.
Exira itself is a quiet, older town nestled in the East Nishnabotna River valley. The population has declined over the past couple of decades, though a recent estimate suggests a slight uptick. The housing market is far more affordable than state or national averages, making it a viable option for families who value low-cost living and a slower pace. Daily life revolves around agriculture, with a handful of churches and a strong tradition of community celebrations, particularly the Fourth of July parade and the Fall Festival. The school building sits within the town’s grid, integrated into the residential and civic core rather than isolated on a campus. There is no public transit, and most travel relies on U.S. Highway 71, which connects to Interstate 80 a short drive south.
The district itself does not appear to have undergone any recent parent-relevant changes such as boundary adjustments, program eliminations, or leadership turnover, so the school’s current operations reflect a stable, if modest, rural school system. Because this is an elementary school, there are no graduation rate or secondary program data to consider.
For a family, this is a school that offers a small, community-anchored environment where children know their classmates and teachers across the years. Academically, math stands out as a relative strength, and the overall proficiency rates are respectable for a rural elementary. A parent whose priority is a tight-knit setting with affordable housing and a predictable daily routine will find the school a natural fit. Those seeking wide demographic diversity, a fast-growing town, or a wide array of specialized programs will need to look elsewhere, as this school’s identity is rooted in its rural stability and modest scale.
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