Average
#954 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
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#954 of 1,280
In Northwood
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District
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Northwood-kensett Elementary
Elementary School in Northwood · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Northwood-kensett Middle/high School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Glenville-emmons Secondary
8.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northwood-kensett Elementary
Northwood-kensett Elementary is a public elementary school in Northwood, IA, part of Northwood-Kensett Comm School District. Northwood-kensett Elementary serves approximately 294 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwood-kensett Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #954 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Northwood-kensett Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Northwood-kensett Elementary 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
Northwood-kensett Elementary — Students at Northwood-kensett Elementary score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
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 35 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: 5.4/10.
How Northwood-kensett Elementary Compares
See how Northwood-kensett Elementary 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 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. ST THEODORE'S EL (rated 7.9/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), which scores notably higher. Another option is HALVERSON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Albert Lea), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY (rated 7.4/10, 16.6 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 | 6.9 |
| Success West Austin | 8.9 mi | — |
| GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville | 9.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Success East Austin | 9.4 mi | — |
| Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly | 11.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Central Springs High School Manly | 11.1 mi | 6.9 |
| HALVERSON ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 14.6 mi | 7.4 |
| ST THEODORE'S EL Albert Lea | 16.0 mi | 7.9 |
| HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.2 mi | 4.9 |
| SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.1 mi | 5.4 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea | 16.2 mi | 5.4 |
| ALBERT LEA SENIOR HIGH Albert Lea | 17.2 mi | 4.4 |
| LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea | 17.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Albert Lea Area Learning Center Albert Lea | 17.4 mi | 4.8 |
| LYLE ELEMENTARY Lyle | 14.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Lyle High School Lyle | 14.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Lyle Middle Lyle | 14.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Harding Elementary School Mason City | 19.5 mi | 6.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Marshall Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 5.2 |
| Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls, IA | 5.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 5.2 |
| Walcott Elementary School Walcott, IA | 5.2 |
| West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell, IA | 5.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.3 |
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 ranks #954 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northwood-kensett Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood-kensett Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Northwood-kensett Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwood-kensett Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.3%
- Phone
- (641) 324-1127
Resources & Links
District
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 575
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,357
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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