Excellent
#13 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 1% in state
Graettinger-terril Elementary School
Elementary School · Graettinger-Terril Comm School District
PO BOX 128 101 S. Schooley St., Terril, IA 51364
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
153
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#13 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Graettinger-Terril Comm School District
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Graettinger-terril Elementary School
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School serves 153 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Terril, Iowa. MySchoolScout rates it Exceptional with a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — one of the strongest marks in the state for a school its size. The data makes that clear.
Graettinger-Terril Elementary ranks 13th among 1,280 public schools in Iowa, outperforming 99% of schools statewide. It also leads its own district, earning the highest scores of the three schools in the Graettinger-Terril Community School District. For a rural elementary with 153 students, that standing is striking.
Growth is the school's most distinctive strength — a 9.5 out of 10 signals that students here consistently advance faster than expected from year to year, not just arrive with advantages. Academic performance scores 7.8 out of 10. The student-teacher ratio sits at 11.8 to one, giving teachers practical capacity to track individual progress closely.
These numbers align: a small school, tightly staffed, producing growth results that outpace nearly every school in Iowa. Families weighing rural northwest Iowa options will find Graettinger-Terril Elementary backs its Exceptional rating with evidence at every level.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 153 students, Graettinger-terril 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.
Located in a rural area, Graettinger-terril 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
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Graettinger-terril Elementary School — Students at Graettinger-terril Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Graettinger-terril Elementary School Compares
See how Graettinger-terril Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 64.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 128 101 S. Schooley St., Terril, IA 51364
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Graettinger-terril Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Okoboji Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Milford), with a comparable rating. Another option is Johnson Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Spencer), a more accessible option. Additionally, Spirit Lake Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Spirit Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Terril, see our Terril schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 9.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 9.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 10.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville | 10.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville | 10.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Demoney Elementary Estherville | 10.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 9.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 9.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven | 12.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven | 12.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 9.5 mi | 7.8 |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer | 12.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Spencer Middle School Spencer | 13.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 13.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Spencer High School Spencer | 13.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger | 12.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger | 12.0 mi | 6.9 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 14.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 14.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 15.0 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51364 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,554
Median Home Value
$131,900
Median Rent
$1,036/mo
Population
855
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
87.2%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
43.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Graettinger-terril Elementary School has a median household income of $62,554. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,900, with a median rent of $1,036/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Mapleton Elementary School Mapleton, IA | 9.2 |
| Moravia Elementary School Moravia, IA | 9.0 |
| Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller, IA | 9.2 |
| Shell Rock Elementary School Shell Rock, IA | 9.2 |
| Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia, IA | 8.9 |
| CAL Elementary School Latimer, IA | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Graettinger-terril Elementary School
What grades does Graettinger-terril Elementary School serve?
Graettinger-terril Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Graettinger-terril Elementary School?
Graettinger-terril Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 153 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Graettinger-terril Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Graettinger-terril Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Graettinger-terril Elementary School rank in IA?
Graettinger-terril Elementary School is ranked #13 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Graettinger-terril Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Graettinger-terril Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Graettinger-terril Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Graettinger-terril Elementary School has 66.7% math proficiency and 69.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Graettinger-terril Elementary School a charter school?
No, Graettinger-terril Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Graettinger-terril Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Graettinger-terril Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Graettinger-terril Elementary School?
60.1% of students at Graettinger-terril 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 153
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dickinson County
- Phone
- (712) 859-3286
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Graettinger-Terril Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 339
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,003
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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