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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-29.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,143

Twin Cedars Elementary School — Students at Twin Cedars Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.2%
School
State
74.1%
ELA Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
72.6%

Based on 15 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
69.2%
ELA
75%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in IA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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