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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,715

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.4%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 73.6%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
86.2%
ELA
79.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
89th percentile in IA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (250/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Cedar Comm School District
District Enrollment
591
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,697
District Rank
#2 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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