Very Good
#362 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 28% in state
Mark Twain Elementary
Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District
1355 DeForest Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Iowa City
#4 of 16
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#233 of 662
In district
#7 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Mark Twain Elementary
Mark Twain Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 241 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Mark Twain Elementary offers a supportive learning environment.
The academic performance at Mark Twain Elementary shows that 53% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 47% are proficient or above in Math, while 40% are proficient or above in Science. The school has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.8 out of 10 and is ranked 36th percentile among Iowa schools. While the academic scores suggest there is room for improvement, Mark Twain Elementary focuses on student development and community engagement.
Mark Twain Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Johnson County. The school's location provides students with easy access to local resources and cultural activities that enhance their educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mark Twain Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Mark Twain Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mark Twain Elementary — Students at Mark Twain Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
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: 8.6/10.
How Mark Twain Elementary Compares
See how Mark Twain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
1355 DeForest Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mark Twain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Herbert Hoover Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FAITH ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Iowa City, see our Iowa City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,189
Median Home Value
$241,100
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
Population
36,046
College Educated
46.6%
Homeownership
50.9%
Avg Commute
17.4 min
Poverty Rate
26.2%
Median Age
28.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mark Twain Elementary has a median household income of $55,189. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,100, with a median rent of $1,065/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA | 7.2 |
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City, IA | 7.2 |
| Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA | 7.2 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA | 7.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 7.2 |
| Clark Elementary School New London, IA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mark Twain Elementary
What grades does Mark Twain Elementary serve?
Mark Twain Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Mark Twain Elementary?
Mark Twain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elementary is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mark Twain Elementary rank in IA?
Mark Twain Elementary is ranked #362 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Mark Twain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mark Twain Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Mark Twain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mark Twain Elementary has 46.7% math proficiency and 53.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mark Twain Elementary a charter school?
No, Mark Twain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mark Twain Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mark Twain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mark Twain Elementary?
70.1% of students at Mark Twain Elementary 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
- 54 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 26 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 81 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,000/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Iowa City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 241
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Johnson County
- Phone
- (319) 688-1165
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #7 of 29
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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