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Average

#810 of 1,280 schools in IA

Tilford Elementary School

Elementary School · Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District

308 E 13th St, Vinton, IA 52349

Enrollment

558

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Vinton

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#446 of 662

In district

#4 of 4

Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Tilford Elementary School

Tilford Elementary School serves 558 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fourth in Vinton, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger elementary schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 across 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that translates into solid academic results. Students at Tilford demonstrate strong performance in core subjects, with 72% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 82% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.

These results help position the school at #289 out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among Iowa schools. The school's overall academic score of 7.7 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement across the early elementary years. The school draws families from a stable community in Benton County, where the median household income reaches $68,281 and home values average $177,900.

With 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 11.5% poverty rate, the area provides a supportive environment for young learners. Tilford Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town of Vinton, offering students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to quality educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Tilford Elementary School 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 Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,725

Tilford Elementary School — Students at Tilford Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.5%
School
State
75.9%
ELA Proficiency 76.3%
School
State
73.1%

Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
80.9%
ELA
80.4%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Tilford Elementary School Compares

See how Tilford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
37th percentile in IA
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

308 E 13th St, Vinton, IA 52349

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tilford Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Dysart), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jesup Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Jesup), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Atkins Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Atkins), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vinton, see our Vinton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Vinton 0.4 mi 6.4
Vinton-Shellsburg High School Vinton 0.6 mi 7.8
Shellsburg Elementary School Shellsburg 8.6 mi 6.8
Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point 8.8 mi 6.1
Benton Community Senior High School Van Horne 10.6 mi 5.0
Benton Community Middle School Van Horne 10.6 mi 6.0
Atkins Elementary School Atkins 13.8 mi 7.2
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 13.6 mi 6.4
Center Point-Urbana High School Center Point 11.8 mi 3.9
Center Point-Urbana Primary School Center Point 12.1 mi 5.6
Center Point-Urbana Middle School Center Point 12.1 mi 7.4
Keystone Elementary School Keystone 14.2 mi 6.8
Union High School La Porte City 14.2 mi 6.1
Norway Elementary School Norway 18.2 mi 6.6
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 15.0 mi 7.8
Union Middle School Dysart 15.2 mi 8.4
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup 21.9 mi 6.0
Independence Junior Senior High School Independence 21.7 mi 6.4
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 17.7 mi 5.3
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 22.4 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52349 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,537

Median Home Value

$173,800

Median Rent

$838/mo

Population

7,745

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

46

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tilford Elementary School has a median household income of $71,537. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,800, with a median rent of $838/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines, IA 6.0
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines, IA 6.0
Davis County Elementary Bloomfield, IA 6.0
East Elementary School Ankeny, IA 6.0
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill, IA 6.0
Irving Elementary School Dubuque, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tilford Elementary School

What grades does Tilford Elementary School serve?

Tilford Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Tilford Elementary School?

Tilford Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 558 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tilford Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tilford Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tilford Elementary School rank in IA?

Tilford Elementary School is ranked #810 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Tilford Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tilford Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Tilford Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tilford Elementary School has 82.5% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tilford Elementary School a charter school?

No, Tilford Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Tilford Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Tilford Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tilford Elementary School?

44.4% of students at Tilford Elementary School 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

City Safety
Average (423/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Vinton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Benton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,551
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,599
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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