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
Enrollment
558
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Tilford Elementary School — Students at Tilford Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 4.0/10.
How Tilford Elementary School Compares
See how Tilford Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (319) 436-4728
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,551
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,599
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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