Average
#571 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 45% in state
Twin Cedars Elementary School
Elementary School · Twin Cedars Comm School District
2204 Highway G71, Bussey, IA 50044
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bussey
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#337 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Twin Cedars Comm School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Twin Cedars Elementary School
Twin Cedars Elementary School is a small rural public school in Bussey, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 179 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Twin Cedars has ten full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their pupils’ academic growth.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, placing it at the 17th percentile among Iowa schools based on its state ranking of #1072 out of 1288. Twin Cedars students show strong performance in science with 74% achieving proficiency or above, followed by ELA/Reading at 68%, and math at 63%. While the academic scores suggest room for improvement, the school is focused on developing a supportive learning environment that nurtures each student’s potential.
Twin Cedars Elementary School sits in a remote rural area, offering students a close-knit community setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 179 students, Twin Cedars Elementary School 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.
While current test scores at Twin Cedars Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Twin Cedars 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
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Twin Cedars Elementary School — Students at Twin Cedars Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How Twin Cedars Elementary School Compares
See how Twin Cedars Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
2204 Highway G71, Bussey, IA 50044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Twin Cedars Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eddyville Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Eddyville), which scores notably higher. Another option is PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Pella), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lincoln Center (rated 7.1/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Albia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bussey, see our Bussey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella | 12.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Pella High School Pella | 12.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Pella | 12.8 mi | 6.0 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella | 13.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Pella Middle School Pella | 13.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella | 13.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pella | 13.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Northstar Elementary School Knoxville | 12.0 mi | 6.5 |
| West Elementary Knoxville | 12.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville | 12.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville | 12.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Lincoln Center Albia | 14.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Albia Middle School Albia | 14.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Albia High School Albia | 14.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Kendall Center Albia | 14.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Grant Center Albia | 14.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa | 14.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa | 15.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville | 15.7 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,568
Median Home Value
$115,100
Median Rent
$539/mo
Population
948
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
86%
Avg Commute
32.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Twin Cedars Elementary School has a median household income of $75,568. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,100, with a median rent of $539/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden, IA | 6.6 |
| Grant Center Albia, IA | 6.6 |
| Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona, IA | 6.6 |
| ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.6 |
| Stuart Elementary School Stuart, IA | 6.6 |
| AQUIN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cascade, IA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Twin Cedars Elementary School
What grades does Twin Cedars Elementary School serve?
Twin Cedars Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Twin Cedars Elementary School?
Twin Cedars Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 179 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Twin Cedars Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Twin Cedars Elementary School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Twin Cedars Elementary School rank in IA?
Twin Cedars Elementary School is ranked #571 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Twin Cedars Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Twin Cedars Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Twin Cedars Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Twin Cedars Elementary School has 63.2% math proficiency and 68.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Twin Cedars Elementary School a charter school?
No, Twin Cedars Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Twin Cedars Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Twin Cedars Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Twin Cedars Elementary School?
50.3% of students at Twin Cedars 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (185/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 179
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (641) 944-5245
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Twin Cedars Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 338
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,235
- District Rank
- #2 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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