Very Good
#329 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 26% in state
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
High School · Twin Cedars Comm School District
2204 Highway G71, Bussey, IA 50044
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
159
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bussey
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#56 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
Twin Cedars Comm School District
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Bussey, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, Twin Cedars offers a close-knit community feel with an enrollment of 159 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1. The school has fifteen full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing personalized education.
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School's academic performance shows areas for growth, with its MySchoolScout rating at 4.5 out of 10 and state ranking in the 28th percentile. While proficiency rates vary by subject—69% proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 55% in Math, and 71% in Science—the school is focused on student development and improvement. Set amidst a rural setting, Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School fosters a tight-knit community where students benefit from the support of dedicated educators and a strong sense of belonging.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 159 students, Twin Cedars Jr-sr High 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 Jr-sr High 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 Jr-sr High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School — Students at Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 9.1/10.
How Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School Compares
See how Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
2204 Highway G71, Bussey, IA 50044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Albia High School (rated 6.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Albia), with a comparable rating. Another option is Pella High School (rated 6.2/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Pella), a more accessible option. Additionally, PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Pella), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bussey, see our Bussey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey | 0.1 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 11.9 mi | 6.5 |
| West Elementary Knoxville | 11.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville | 11.9 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 | 14.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Grant Center Albia | 15.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa | 14.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa | 15.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Eddyville Elementary Eddyville | 15.8 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 Jr-sr High 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 |
|---|---|
| Riceville High School Riceville, IA | 7.3 |
| South Winneshiek High School Calmar, IA | 7.3 |
| West Monona High School Onawa, IA | 7.3 |
| Fremont-Mills Middle And Senior High School Tabor, IA | 7.2 |
| Keota High School Keota, IA | 7.2 |
| West Harrison Middle School/High School Mondamin, IA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
What grades does Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School serve?
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School?
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 159 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School rank in IA?
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School is ranked #329 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Jr-sr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School has 55.0% math proficiency and 69.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School a charter school?
No, Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School a Title I school?
No, Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School?
52.8% of students at Twin Cedars Jr-sr High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 159
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (641) 944-5243
- 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
- #1 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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