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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.8 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,143

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.0%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 69.2%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 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
47%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
58.8%
ELA
74.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (185/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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