Mark Twain Elementary

Summary:

Mark Twain Elementary is a public elementary school in Iowa City, Iowa, serving 246 students in grades PK-6 as part of the Iowa City Community School District. The school has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 34.15% White, 25.61% African American, 32.11% Hispanic, and 6.91% two or more races, which is more diverse than the surrounding schools in the area.

Academically, Mark Twain Elementary has consistently performed below the district and state averages on the ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress). For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts ranged from 52.4% to 66.7% at Mark Twain, compared to 66-73.1% for the district and 64.2-74.5% for the state. In Mathematics, the proficiency rates at Mark Twain ranged from 28.6% to 66.7%, while the district and state averages were higher. Additionally, the school has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 65.04%, compared to 20-58% at the nearby schools.

Despite the challenges, Mark Twain Elementary has a higher per-student spending of $15,834 and a lower student-teacher ratio ranging from 8.9 to 9.8, compared to the nearby schools, such as Lincoln Elementary, Bohumil Shimek Elementary, and Horace Mann Elementary, which have significantly higher academic performance and ratings from SchoolDigger. This suggests that the district is aware of the school's needs and is attempting to provide additional support, but more targeted interventions may be necessary to improve student outcomes at Mark Twain Elementary.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 1355 DeForest Avenue
       Iowa City, IA  52240


(319) 688-1165

District: Iowa City Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
462nd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,834 Help


Students who attend Mark Twain Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Southeast Junior High School
High:    Iowa City High School

Student/teacher ratio:  9.8 Help
Number of students:  246

Racial breakdown:

White:
34.1%
Hispanic:
32.1%
African American:
25.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  65% Help


 See top rated Iowa elementary schools

 Compare Mark Twain Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Mark Twain Elementary ranks worse than 82.9% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 15th among 19 ranked elementary schools in the Iowa City Community School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.25. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Mark Twain Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (34.1%), Hispanic (32.1%), African American (25.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 65% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mark Twain Elementary is 9.8, which is the 3rd best among 19 elementary schools in the Iowa City Community School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Mark Twain Elementary employs 24.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mark Twain Elementary is $15,834, which is the 3rd highest among 19 elementary schools in the Iowa City Community School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Mark Twain Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Iowa City Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Iowa City Community School District 221st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Mark Twain Elementary.

What do you think?

Your rating for Mark Twain Elementary?

Rank History for Mark Twain Elementary

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 4.78 611th 626 2.4%
2013 4.30 609th 624 2.4%
2014 4.83 581st 603 3.6%
2015 4.00 594th 616 3.6%
2016 7.87 567th 599 5.3%
2017 5.91 541st 574 5.7%
2018 6.11 537th 567 5.3%
2019 8.90 574th 603 4.8%
2021 19.53 481st 567 15.2%
2022 24.07 474th 574 17.4%
2023 21.53 474th 565 16.1%
2024 23.25 462nd 557 17.1%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Mark Twain Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, April 25, 2022

Open Quote Kind teachers, diverse classmates, small classes. Great experience with two kids here! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Mark Twain Elementary

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 365 24 8 2 1 n/a n/a 0 400
1989 336 35 12 11 2 n/a n/a 0 396
1990 339 25 13 11 1 n/a n/a 0 389
1991 328 23 15 14 2 n/a n/a 0 382
1992 347 26 12 9 3 n/a n/a 0 397
1993 352 31 11 8 2 n/a n/a 0 404
1994 350 31 6 15 0 n/a n/a 0 402
1995 314 33 11 13 0 n/a n/a 0 371
1996 314 33 11 13 0 n/a n/a 0 371
1997 255 58 8 15 0 n/a n/a 0 336
1998 235 63 9 16 0 n/a n/a 0 323
1999 221 78 9 15 0 n/a n/a 0 323
2000 228 89 10 20 4 n/a n/a -15 336
2001 180 80 7 15 1 n/a n/a 0 283
2002 133 101 8 12 2 n/a n/a 0 256
2003 133 101 8 12 2 n/a n/a 0 256
2004 144 143 6 22 0 n/a n/a 0 315
2005 121 129 8 36 1 n/a n/a 0 295
2006 95 120 6 49 0 n/a n/a 0 270
2007 84 100 4 42 2 n/a n/a 0 232
2008 81 141 1 50 1 n/a n/a 0 274
2009 101 121 1 43 0 n/a n/a 0 266
2010 93 103 5 42 0 0 1 0 244
2011 89 94 2 51 0 0 0 0 236
2012 98 88 5 72 1 0 0 0 264
2013 102 83 4 102 0 1 3 0 295
2014 120 122 2 99 0 0 8 0 351
2015 138 144 3 121 1 0 12 0 419
2016 114 60 2 103 0 0 10 0 289
2017 124 87 5 113 0 0 13 0 342
2018 141 95 5 119 0 0 16 0 376
2019 126 110 5 111 0 0 23 0 375
2020 97 52 2 72 1 0 22 0 246
2021 96 51 0 64 0 0 21 0 232
2022 90 46 0 73 0 1 16 1 227
2023 84 63 1 79 0 0 17 2 246

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mark Twain Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 400 26.1 15.3 22.5
1989 396 24.2 16.3 18.9
1990 389 24.2 16.0 13.9
1991 382 24.4 15.6 18.6
1992 397 20.0 19.8 19.4
1993 404 20.9 19.3 21
1994 402 21.0 19.1 24.9
1995 371 22.0 16.9 26.4
1996 371 22.0 16.9 26.4
1997 336 19.0 17.7 35.7
1998 323 17.5 18.5 41.2
1999 323 20.0 16.2 46.7
2000 336 15.0 22.4 47
2001 283 19.0 14.9 51.6
2002 256 23.5 10.9 60.2
2003 256 23.5 10.9 60.2
2004 315 26.7 11.8 67.9
2005 295 26.9 11.0 67.8
2006 270 24.7 10.9 68.9
2007 232 25.1 9.2 68.1
2008 274 21.7 12.6 65.7
2009 266 23.8 11.2 66.9
2010 244 21.8 11.1 77
2011 236 23.5 10.0 80.9
2012 264 21.7 12.1 70.8
2013 295 24.0 12.2 66.8
2014 351 28.3 12.3 71.2
2015 419 30.0 13.9 72.3
2016 289 26.0 11.1 75.8
2017 342 29.5 11.5 73.7
2018 376 29.6 12.6 68.9
2019 375 33.6 11.1 77.6
2020 246 24.7 9.9 54.9
2021 232 24.9 9.2 55.6
2022 227 25.4 8.9 58.1
2023 246 24.9 9.8 65

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mark Twain Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 400 26.1 15.3 22.5
1989 396 24.2 16.3 18.9
1990 389 24.2 16.0 13.9
1991 382 24.4 15.6 18.6
1992 397 20.0 19.8 19.4
1993 404 20.9 19.3 21
1994 402 21.0 19.1 24.9
1995 371 22.0 16.9 26.4
1996 371 22.0 16.9 26.4
1997 336 19.0 17.7 35.7
1998 323 17.5 18.5 41.2
1999 323 20.0 16.2 46.7
2000 336 15.0 22.4 47
2001 283 19.0 14.9 51.6
2002 256 23.5 10.9 60.2
2003 256 23.5 10.9 60.2
2004 315 26.7 11.8 67.9
2005 295 26.9 11.0 67.8
2006 270 24.7 10.9 68.9
2007 232 25.1 9.2 68.1
2008 274 21.7 12.6 65.7
2009 266 23.8 11.2 66.9
2010 244 21.8 11.1 77
2011 236 23.5 10.0 80.9
2012 264 21.7 12.1 70.8
2013 295 24.0 12.2 66.8
2014 351 28.3 12.3 71.2
2015 419 30.0 13.9 72.3
2016 289 26.0 11.1 75.8
2017 342 29.5 11.5 73.7
2018 376 29.6 12.6 68.9
2019 375 33.6 11.1 77.6
2020 246 24.7 9.9 54.9
2021 232 24.9 9.2 55.6
2022 227 25.4 8.9 58.1
2023 246 24.9 9.8 65

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mark Twain Elementary

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,165 (7.4%) $14,669 (92.6%) $15,834

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mark Twain Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 574th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 474th of 565 Elementary schools
 11.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mark Twain Elementary)47.459.1
 11.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa City Community School District)64.563.9
 0.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mark Twain Elementary)52.659.1
 6.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa City Community School District)7270.2
 1.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mark Twain Elementary)40.974.2
 33.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa City Community School District)69.876
 6.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mark Twain Elementary)29.561.3
 31.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa City Community School District)69.572.4
 2.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mark Twain Elementary)43.659.1
 15.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa City Community School District)65.965
 0.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mark Twain Elementary)25.636.4
 10.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa City Community School District)69.467.4
 2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mark Twain Elementary)64.545
 19.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa City Community School District)72.677
 4.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mark Twain Elementary)51.638.1
 13.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa City Community School District)78.774.6
 4.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students375246
 34.4%
African American11063
 42.7%
American Indian00
Asian51
 80%
Hispanic11179
 28.8%
Pacific Islander00
White12684
 33.3%
Two or More Races2317
 26.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients77.6%65%
 12.6%


Schools Near Mark Twain Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Mark Twain Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 246 students attended Mark Twain Elementary.

Students at Mark Twain Elementary are 34% White, 32% Hispanic, 26% African American, 7% Two or more races.

Mark Twain Elementary ranks in the bottom 17.1% of Iowa elementary schools.

Students who attend Mark Twain Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Southeast Junior High School
High : Iowa City High School


Rate Mark Twain Elementary!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Mark Twain Elementary!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 292 milliseconds.