Very Good
#142 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
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#106 of 662
In district
#2 of 3
North Cedar Comm School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is a small rural public school located in Lowden, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 176 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s academic performance shows that 74% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 79% in Math, and 71% in Science.
With these scores, the school ranks 581st out of 1288 schools statewide, placing it around the 55th percentile. North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center focuses on fostering a nurturing environment that supports students with room for academic growth. The school is situated in a rural setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and families work closely together to support each child’s development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 176 students, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center — Students at North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
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 15 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: 9.4/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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. Bennett Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Bennett), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr (rated 8.7/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Mechanicsville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tipton Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Tipton), with a very similar 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 | 6.1 |
| Bennett Elementary School Bennett | 8.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Midland Elementary Oxford Junction | 8.9 mi | 7.6 |
| North Cedar Jr/Sr High School Clarence | 6.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Tipton High School Tipton | 11.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Midland Middle/High School Wyoming | 14.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Tipton Elementary School Tipton | 12.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Tipton Middle School Tipton | 12.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Olin Elementary School Olin | 14.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Durant Elementary School Durant | 17.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant | 17.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Wilton Elementary School Wilton | 18.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Wilton Jr-Sr High School Wilton | 18.8 mi | 7.1 |
| John Glenn Elementary School Donahue | 17.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Walcott Elementary School Walcott | 20.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Walcott Intermediate Walcott | 20.7 mi | 6.4 |
| North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr Mechanicsville | 16.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Maquoketa Community High School Maquoketa | 19.0 mi | 5.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has a median household income of $60,625. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,900, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dexter Elementary School Dexter, IA | 7.9 |
| North Hill Elementary School Burlington, IA | 7.9 |
| South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian, IA | 7.9 |
| Akron Westfield Elementary School Akron, IA | 8.0 |
| Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun, IA | 8.0 |
| Odebolt Elementary-Odebolt Odebolt, IA | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #142 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center's MySchoolScout rating?
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Lowden Elementary Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center has 79.4% math proficiency and 73.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- Phone
- (563) 941-5383
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Cedar Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 591
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,697
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.