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Excellent

#87 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 7% 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

8.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#87 of 1,280

In Mason City

#1 of 9

public schools

In district

#1 of 9

Mason City Comm School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Jefferson Elementary School

8.6/10

Elementary School in Mason City · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harding Elementary School

6.8/10

Mason City, IA. Compare side by side with Jefferson Elementary School before ruling this option in or out.

John Adams Middle School

5.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Jefferson Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mason City, IA, part of Mason City Comm School District. Jefferson Elementary School serves approximately 307 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #87 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency86.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.5 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,155
Chronic Absenteeism23.1%

Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 77.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
86.3%
ELA
78.6%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Jefferson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
93th percentile in IA
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Clear Creek Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), a more accessible option. Another option is Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs (rated 7.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Nora Springs), a more accessible option. Additionally, Harding Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.4 mi
School Distance Rating
John Adams Middle School Mason City 0.3 mi 5.2
Mason City High School Mason City 0.3 mi 3.7
Alternative School Mason City 0.4 mi 2.2
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 0.7 mi 5.6
Harding Elementary School Mason City 1.3 mi 6.8
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 1.3 mi 6.4
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 1.4 mi 2.4
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 1.5 mi 6.6
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 2.4 mi 4.9
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 3.3 mi 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 3.4 mi 5.4
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly 9.6 mi 6.3
Central Springs High School Manly 9.6 mi 6.9
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 11.4 mi 5.2
Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs Nora Springs 8.6 mi 7.1
Central Springs Middle School Nora Springs 8.6 mi 6.2
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 9.7 mi 8.8
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 9.8 mi 7.4
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 10.1 mi 7.3
West Fork High School Sheffield 17.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AHSTW Primary School Avoca, IA 8.6
Bedford Elementary School Bedford, IA 8.6
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA 8.6
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn, IA 8.6
Cascade Elementary School Cascade, IA 8.6
Clear Creek Elementary School Oxford, IA 8.6

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 ranks #87 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Jefferson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Compare This School

How does Jefferson Elementary School stack up?

Harding Elementary School
6.8

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

District

Mason City Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,509
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,155
District Rank
#1 of 9

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