Skip to main content

Excellent

#7 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 1% in state

Bennett Elementary School

Elementary School · Bennett Comm School District

PO BOX D 300 Cedar St, Bennett, IA 52721

Enrollment

72

Student-Teacher

6.5:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa elementary schools

#7 of 662

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Bennett Elementary School

Bennett Elementary School serves 72 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Bennett, Iowa. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — ranking 7th out of 1,280 public schools statewide and 7th among 662 Iowa elementary schools. Both figures place it at the very top of the state's performance distribution.

A 6.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio keeps every classroom genuinely small, giving teachers direct and consistent contact with each student across all grade levels. Growth is where this school separates itself: a 9.9 out of 10 growth score signals that students here advance well beyond expected academic trajectories, regardless of where they start. Academic achievement at 7.5 out of 10 rounds out a profile that holds up at any enrollment size.

For families comparing schools in Cedar County and eastern Iowa, the data makes a clear case. Small enrollment keeps the experience personal, and the statewide rankings confirm that intimacy hasn't come at any cost to outcomes. Few public schools in Iowa match what Bennett Elementary delivers across both academic achievement and student growth.

What's said publicly about Bennett Elementary School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Bennett Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and offers state-accredited preschool for three- and four-year-olds 1 . The school provides individualized instruction characterized by small class sizes, a one-to-one technology initiative, and leveled classwork based on student assessment results 1 . For students in grades 7 through 12, the Bennett Community School District maintains a whole-grade sharing agreement with the Durant Community School District and the Tipton Community School District 1 . The district's mission emphasizes developing 21st-century learners who are safe, good global citizens, and possess self-worth, while viewing the family as the foundation for individual development 1 . Bennett Community School District has a nondiscrimination policy covering race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status 1 . Grievances related to this policy can be directed to Jeremiah Costello at the district office located at 300 Cedar Street, Bennett, Iowa 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.bennett.k12.ia.us
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 72 students, Bennett Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Bennett Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Bennett Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,937

Bennett Elementary School — Students at Bennett Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Bennett Elementary School Compares

See how Bennett Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
100th percentile in IA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO BOX D 300 Cedar St, Bennett, IA 52721

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bennett Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center (rated 7.9/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Lowden), a more accessible option. Another option is Tipton Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Tipton), a more accessible option. Additionally, John Glenn Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Donahue), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bennett, see our Bennett schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.1 mi
School Distance Rating
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center Lowden 8.6 mi 7.9
Wilton Elementary School Wilton 10.2 mi 5.3
Wilton Jr-Sr High School Wilton 10.2 mi 7.1
Tipton High School Tipton 7.8 mi 4.3
Durant Elementary School Durant 10.0 mi 6.6
Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant 10.0 mi 5.5
Tipton Elementary School Tipton 8.6 mi 7.7
Tipton Middle School Tipton 8.6 mi 6.4
North Cedar Jr/Sr High School Clarence 10.8 mi 5.4
Calamus-Wheatland Sec Attendance Center Wheatland 9.7 mi 6.1
Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus 12.5 mi 7.5
Midland Elementary Oxford Junction 17.1 mi 7.6
Walcott Elementary School Walcott 15.2 mi 6.2
Walcott Intermediate Walcott 15.2 mi 6.4
Olin Elementary School Olin 19.4 mi 7.2
Madison Elementary School Muscatine 20.7 mi 5.1
Muskie Early Learning Center Muscatine 20.7 mi 5.0
John Glenn Elementary School Donahue 15.8 mi 7.7
Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass 19.1 mi 5.1
Grant Elementary School Muscatine 21.1 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,536

Median Home Value

$180,100

Median Rent

$1,000/mo

Population

874

College Educated

15.3%

Homeownership

81%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

43.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bennett Elementary School has a median household income of $75,536. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,100, with a median rent of $1,000/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode, IA 8.9
Schleswig Elementary School Schleswig, IA 8.7
Anthon Elementary Anthon, IA 8.5
South Page Elementary School College Springs, IA 10.0
Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant, IA 8.2
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge, IA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bennett Elementary School

What grades does Bennett Elementary School serve?

Bennett Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Bennett Elementary School?

Bennett Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bennett Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bennett Elementary School is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bennett Elementary School rank in IA?

Bennett Elementary School is ranked #7 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Bennett Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bennett Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bennett Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bennett Elementary School has 71.2% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bennett Elementary School a charter school?

No, Bennett Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bennett Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Bennett Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bennett Elementary School?

52.8% of students at Bennett Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (250/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cedar County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bennett Comm School District
District Enrollment
72
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,640
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.