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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.5%
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,874

Graettinger-terril Elementary School — Students at Graettinger-terril Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.7%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 69.6%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 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
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2025
Math
70.6%
ELA
74.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.1/10
99th percentile in IA
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Graettinger-Terril Comm School District
District Enrollment
339
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,003
District Rank
#1 of 3

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

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