Average
#644 of 1,280 schools in IA
Northwood-kensett Elementary
Elementary School · Northwood-Kensett Comm School District
PO BOX 289 1200 1st Ave N, Northwood, IA 50459
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Northwood
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#367 of 662
In district
#1 of 2
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Northwood-kensett Elementary
Northwood-Kensett Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Northwood, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 294 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Northwood-Kensett Elementary offers a supportive learning environment where students can develop their academic skills.
According to state assessments, 75% of the students are proficient or above in math, while 66% demonstrate proficiency in both ELA/reading and science. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it at the 49th percentile among Iowa schools with a similar academic score of 6.3. Northwood-Kensett Elementary serves a close-knit community in a remote rural setting, fostering a tight-knit environment where teachers and families work together to support student development.
The school's location provides students with a unique blend of small-town charm and a strong sense of community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwood-kensett Elementary 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
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Data not available for this school
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Northwood-kensett Elementary — Students at Northwood-kensett Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35%
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
→ 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: 7.0/10.
How Northwood-kensett Elementary Compares
See how Northwood-kensett Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 289 1200 1st Ave N, Northwood, IA 50459
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood-kensett Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harding Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Mason City), which scores notably higher. Another option is HALVERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 8.8/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THEODORE'S EL (rated 7.9/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Northwood, see our Northwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwood-Kensett MIddle/High School Northwood | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| GLENVILLE-EMMONS SECONDARY Glenville | 8.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Success West Austin | 8.9 mi | — |
| GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville | 9.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Success East Austin | 9.4 mi | — |
| Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly | 11.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Central Springs High School Manly | 11.1 mi | 6.0 |
| HALVERSON ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 14.6 mi | 8.8 |
| ST THEODORE'S EL Albert Lea | 16.0 mi | 7.9 |
| HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.2 mi | 6.9 |
| SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.1 mi | 6.7 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea | 16.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ALBERT LEA SENIOR HIGH Albert Lea | 17.2 mi | 4.4 |
| LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea | 17.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Albert Lea Area Learning Center Albert Lea | 17.4 mi | 3.9 |
| LYLE ELEMENTARY Lyle | 14.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Lyle High School Lyle | 14.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Lyle Middle Lyle | 14.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Harding Elementary School Mason City | 19.5 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,053
Median Home Value
$148,000
Median Rent
$690/mo
Population
3,027
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood-kensett Elementary has a median household income of $76,053. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,000, with a median rent of $690/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbus Elementary School Chariton, IA | 6.4 |
| Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck, IA | 6.4 |
| La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City, IA | 6.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 6.4 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville, IA | 6.4 |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Dubuque, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood-kensett Elementary
What grades does Northwood-kensett Elementary serve?
Northwood-kensett Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Northwood-kensett Elementary?
Northwood-kensett Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 294 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood-kensett Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood-kensett Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood-kensett Elementary rank in IA?
Northwood-kensett Elementary is ranked #644 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northwood-kensett Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood-kensett Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Northwood-kensett Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood-kensett Elementary has 74.5% math proficiency and 65.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwood-kensett Elementary a charter school?
No, Northwood-kensett Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood-kensett Elementary a Title I school?
No, Northwood-kensett Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood-kensett Elementary?
35.0% of students at Northwood-kensett 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
- County Safety
- Low (122/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 294
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Worth County
- Phone
- (641) 324-1127
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 575
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,357
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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
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