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Average

#983 of 1,280 schools in IA

North Cedar Jr/sr High School

High School · North Cedar Comm School District

PO BOX 310 400 Ball Street, Clarence, IA 52216

Enrollment

273

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

5.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa high schools

#240 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

North Cedar Comm School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About North Cedar Jr/sr High School

North Cedar Jr/Sr High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Clarence, Iowa. The school covers grades seven through twelve and has an enrollment of 273 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.1:1, North Cedar Jr/Sr High School ensures that each student receives personalized attention from its 27 full-time equivalent teachers.

The academic performance at North Cedar is currently rated 5.0 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 40th percentile among Iowa schools. Specifically, 68% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Science, while 57% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth but also highlight areas where the school excels.

North Cedar Jr/Sr High School serves a tight-knit rural community, providing an environment where students can feel supported by their teachers and peers as they navigate middle and high school. The setting offers a unique blend of small-town charm and personalized education, fostering a close-knit atmosphere that encourages student development and engagement.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, North Cedar Jr/sr High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,715

North Cedar Jr/sr High School — Students at North Cedar Jr/sr High School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.1%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 68.1%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
53%
ELA
65.5%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How North Cedar Jr/sr High School Compares

See how North Cedar Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
23th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

PO BOX 310 400 Ball Street, Clarence, IA 52216

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Cedar Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wilton Jr-Sr High School (rated 7.1/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Wilton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Calamus-Wheatland Sec Attendance Center (rated 6.1/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Wheatland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Midland Middle/High School (rated 5.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Wyoming), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clarence, see our Clarence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Tipton High School Tipton 8.5 mi 4.3
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center Lowden 6.9 mi 7.9
Olin Elementary School Olin 8.6 mi 7.2
Tipton Elementary School Tipton 8.8 mi 7.7
Tipton Middle School Tipton 8.9 mi 6.4
Midland Elementary Oxford Junction 9.0 mi 7.6
Bennett Elementary School Bennett 10.8 mi 9.2
Midland Middle/High School Wyoming 12.5 mi 5.6
North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr Mechanicsville 9.9 mi 8.7
Calamus-Wheatland Sec Attendance Center Wheatland 11.8 mi 6.1
Wilton Elementary School Wilton 20.1 mi 5.3
Wilton Jr-Sr High School Wilton 20.1 mi 7.1
Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus 16.0 mi 7.5
Strawberry Hill Anamosa 18.8 mi 7.6
Anamosa High School Anamosa 19.0 mi 4.6
Anamosa Middle School Anamosa 19.4 mi 6.4
Durant Elementary School Durant 20.8 mi 6.6
Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant 20.8 mi 5.5
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Anamosa 19.5 mi 6.2
Lisbon Elementary School Lisbon 17.1 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,375

Median Home Value

$165,400

Median Rent

$878/mo

Population

1,513

College Educated

14.1%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

43

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Cedar Jr/sr High School has a median household income of $66,375. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,400, with a median rent of $878/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Danville Junior-Senior High School Danville, IA 5.4
Grundy Center High School Grundy Center, IA 5.4
BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville, IA 5.5
Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant, IA 5.5
Hinton High School Hinton, IA 5.5
Westwood High School Sloan, IA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Cedar Jr/sr High School

What grades does North Cedar Jr/sr High School serve?

North Cedar Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend North Cedar Jr/sr High School?

North Cedar Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Cedar Jr/sr High School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Cedar Jr/sr High School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Cedar Jr/sr High School rank in IA?

North Cedar Jr/sr High School is ranked #983 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Cedar Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Cedar Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 North Cedar Jr/sr High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Cedar Jr/sr High School has 57.1% math proficiency and 68.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Cedar Jr/sr High School a charter school?

No, North Cedar Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Cedar Jr/sr High School a Title I school?

No, North Cedar Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Cedar Jr/sr High School?

42.9% of students at North Cedar Jr/sr High 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

City Safety
Low (201/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clarence). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cedar County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Cedar Comm School District
District Enrollment
591
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,697
District Rank
#3 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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