Excellent
#10 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 1% in state
Jefferson Elementary School
Elementary School · Mason City Comm School District
1421 4th St. SE, Mason City, IA 50401
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mason City
#2 of 9
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#10 of 662
In district
#2 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School serves 307 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Mason City, Iowa. Its composite score of 9.2 out of 10 earns it an Exceptional rating — a mark that places it #10 out of 1,280 public schools statewide and second among Mason City's nine public schools. Jefferson outperforms 99% of Iowa schools, putting it in company rarely seen at the elementary level for a non-selective public school.
The school's academic score of 8.8 reflects strong classroom outcomes, while a growth score of 9.1 signals that students are consistently advancing beyond expected benchmarks — not just starting from a high baseline. A student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 keeps class sizes manageable, giving teachers more contact time with individual students throughout the school day. Among Iowa's 662 elementary schools, Jefferson ranks #10 — a position that speaks to the depth of competition in a state with strong public education standards.
Parents evaluating Mason City elementary options will find no stronger performer within the city. Those searching statewide will land on very short lists before reaching Jefferson.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 9.1/10.
How Jefferson Elementary School Compares
See how Jefferson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
1421 4th St. SE, Mason City, IA 50401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harding Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs (rated 8.7/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Nora Springs), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,807
Median Home Value
$134,100
Median Rent
$868/mo
Population
28,818
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
68.2%
Avg Commute
13.9 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary School has a median household income of $63,807. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,100, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley, IA | 9.2 |
| Harding Elementary School Mason City, IA | 9.3 |
| Hawarden Elementary School Hawarden, IA | 9.3 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Sioux City, IA | 9.0 |
| Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction, IA | 9.4 |
| Whittier Elementary School Clinton, IA | 8.9 |
Compare Jefferson Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elementary School
What grades does Jefferson Elementary School serve?
Jefferson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elementary School?
Jefferson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elementary School rank in IA?
Jefferson Elementary School is ranked #10 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson 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 Jefferson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary School has 77.7% math proficiency and 75.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary School?
46.6% of students at Jefferson 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
- Walk Score
- 68 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 17 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 50 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,561/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mason City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 307
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Phone
- (641) 421-4411
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mason City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,509
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,155
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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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