Excellent
#143 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 11% in state
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center
Elementary School · North Cedar Comm School District
PO BOX 250 703 Park Avenue, Lowden, IA 52255
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#143 of 1,280
In district
#1 of 3
North Cedar Comm School District
Equity
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center
Elementary School in Lowden · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Calamus-wheatland Sec Attendance Center
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bennett Elementary School
8.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is a public elementary school in Lowden, IA, part of North Cedar Comm School District. North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center serves approximately 176 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #143 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 8.3
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 176 students, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center — Students at North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center Compares
See how North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO BOX 250 703 Park Avenue, Lowden, IA 52255
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Midland Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Oxford Junction), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr (rated 8.2/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, John Glenn Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Donahue), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lowden, see our Lowden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Calamus-Wheatland Sec Attendance Center Wheatland | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Bennett Elementary School Bennett | 8.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Midland Elementary Oxford Junction | 8.9 mi | 8.3 |
| North Cedar Jr/Sr High School Clarence | 6.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus | 9.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Tipton High School Tipton | 11.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Midland Middle/High School Wyoming | 14.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Tipton Elementary School Tipton | 12.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Tipton Middle School Tipton | 12.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Olin Elementary School Olin | 14.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Durant Elementary School Durant | 17.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant | 17.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Wilton Elementary School Wilton | 18.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Wilton Jr-Sr High School Wilton | 18.8 mi | 6.6 |
| John Glenn Elementary School Donahue | 17.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Walcott Elementary School Walcott | 20.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Walcott Intermediate Walcott | 20.7 mi | 5.7 |
| North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr Mechanicsville | 16.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Maquoketa Community High School Maquoketa | 19.0 mi | 4.8 |
| SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Maquoketa | 19.3 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52255 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,625
Median Home Value
$137,900
Median Rent
$933/mo
Population
1,100
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
77.6%
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Median Age
41.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona, IA | 8.3 |
| Midland Elementary Oxford Junction, IA | 8.3 |
| Stuart Elementary School Stuart, IA | 8.3 |
| Valley Elementary School Elgin, IA | 8.3 |
| Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia, IA | 8.4 |
| Baxter Elementary School Baxter, IA | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center
What grades does North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center serve?
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center?
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has an enrollment of approximately 176 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center?
The student-teacher ratio at North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center rank in IA?
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center ranks #143 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center's MySchoolScout rating?
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center a charter school?
No, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center a Title I school?
No, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center?
39.2% of students at North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 176
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cedar County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.1%
- Phone
- (563) 941-5383
Resources & Links
District
North Cedar Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 591
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,697
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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