Twin Cedars Elementary School

Summary:

Twin Cedars Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Bussey, Iowa, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 202 students. The school is part of the Twin Cedars Community School District, which is ranked 252 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Twin Cedars Elementary School's test scores are generally lower than the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 57.9%, compared to the state average of 64.2%. Similarly, the school's 6th-grade Mathematics proficiency rate was 36.8%, compared to the state average of 71.1%. Additionally, the school has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 31.22% to 42.57% over the past three school years, which is higher than the state average and indicates a higher proportion of students from low-income families. The school also has a higher student-teacher ratio, ranging from 14.4 to 18.6 over the past three school years, compared to the nearby schools, which have ratios ranging from 11.9 to 15.3.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Eddyville Elementary, Melcher-Dallas Elementary, and the schools in the Albia and Knoxville districts, Twin Cedars Elementary School generally performs worse on standardized tests and has a lower statewide ranking. For example, Eddyville Elementary and Lincoln Center (in the Albia district) both have higher test scores and statewide rankings than Twin Cedars.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044-7512

(641) 944-5245

District: Twin Cedars Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
437^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,458

Students who attend Twin Cedars Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Twin Cedars Junior-Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.6

Number of students: 179

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.7%

Two or more races:

3.9%

Hispanic:

2.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 50.3%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Twin Cedars Elementary School ranks worse than 78.5% of elementary schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.3. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (92.7%), two or more races (3.9%), Hispanic (2.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 50.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Twin Cedars Elementary School is 16.6. (See more...)

Compare Twin Cedars Elementary School employs 10.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Twin Cedars Elementary School is $12,458.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Twin Cedars Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Twin Cedars Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Twin Cedars Community School District 252^nd of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Twin Cedars Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	38.51	472^nd	626	24.6%
2013	30.75	512^th	624	17.9%
2014	50.11	367^th	603	39.1%
2015	46.02	419^th	616	32.0%
2016	38.20	449^th	599	25.0%
2017	43.10	394^th	574	31.4%
2018	41.20	392^nd	567	30.9%
2019	24.08	499^th	603	17.2%
2021	37.09	405^th	567	28.6%
2022	29.31	447^th	574	22.1%
2023	28.51	447^th	565	20.9%
2024	31.30	437^th	557	21.5%

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Twin Cedars Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	262	1	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	267
1989	273	1	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	278
1990	255	1	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	256
1991	236	1	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	240
1992	258	1	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	264
1993	270	2	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	275
1994	252	3	1	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	257
1995	254	1	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	258
1996	254	1	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	258
1997	257	1	2	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	265
1998	238	2	1	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	245
1999	267	4	1	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	276
2000	315	4	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	-19	304
2001	311	4	1	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	318
2002	312	4	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	318
2003	312	4	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	318
2004	310	5	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	318
2005	301	3	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	305
2006	296	0	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	299
2007	311	1	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	315
2008	281	1	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	284
2009	260	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	262
2010	230	4	0	4	0	0	0	0	238
2011	229	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	236
2012	206	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	212
2013	205	4	0	5	0	0	0	0	214
2014	199	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	204
2015	207	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	209
2016	192	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	196
2017	207	0	1	2	0	0	3	0	213
2018	206	0	1	8	0	0	3	0	218
2019	188	0	1	8	0	0	4	0	201
2020	169	0	1	11	0	0	5	0	186
2021	167	0	0	7	0	0	6	0	180
2022	176	0	0	6	0	0	7	0	189
2023	189	0	0	5	1	0	7	0	202
2024	166	0	1	4	1	0	7	0	179

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 Twin Cedars Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	267	16.6	16.0	22.8
1989	278	16.6	16.7	9.4
1990	256	16.6	15.4	14.8
1991	240	16.1	14.9	23.8
1992	264	17.0	15.5	18.9
1993	275	15.9	17.3	22.2
1994	257	14.0	18.4	25.3
1995	258	17.0	15.2	17.8
1996	258	17.0	15.2	17.8
1997	265	17.0	15.6	18.1
1998	245	18.0	13.6	18.8
1999	276	20.0	13.8	22.8
2000	304	21.3	14.3	18.9
2001	318	21.5	14.8	23.3
2002	318	20.4	15.6	29.9
2003	318	20.4	15.6	29.9
2004	318	19.4	16.4	28.9
2005	305	19.9	15.3	30.5
2006	299	20.2	14.8	30.1
2007	315	21.2	14.9	34.9
2008	284	20.2	14.1	31.7
2009	262	21.2	12.4	34.4
2010	238	19.4	12.2	40.3
2011	236	19.8	11.9	49.6
2012	212	19.1	11.0	42.5
2013	214	19.7	10.8	51.9
2014	204	20.7	9.8	50.5
2015	209	16.0	13.0	50.2
2016	196	14.0	14.0	48.5
2017	213	13.9	15.2	43.7
2018	218	13.4	16.1	42.2
2019	201	14.9	13.4	44.3
2020	186	12.9	14.3	46.2
2021	180	12.4	14.4	38.9
2022	189	11.9	15.8	31.2
2023	202	10.8	18.6	42.6
2024	179	10.7	16.6	50.3

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 Twin Cedars Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	267	16.6	16.0	22.8
1989	278	16.6	16.7	9.4
1990	256	16.6	15.4	14.8
1991	240	16.1	14.9	23.8
1992	264	17.0	15.5	18.9
1993	275	15.9	17.3	22.2
1994	257	14.0	18.4	25.3
1995	258	17.0	15.2	17.8
1996	258	17.0	15.2	17.8
1997	265	17.0	15.6	18.1
1998	245	18.0	13.6	18.8
1999	276	20.0	13.8	22.8
2000	304	21.3	14.3	18.9
2001	318	21.5	14.8	23.3
2002	318	20.4	15.6	29.9
2003	318	20.4	15.6	29.9
2004	318	19.4	16.4	28.9
2005	305	19.9	15.3	30.5
2006	299	20.2	14.8	30.1
2007	315	21.2	14.9	34.9
2008	284	20.2	14.1	31.7
2009	262	21.2	12.4	34.4
2010	238	19.4	12.2	40.3
2011	236	19.8	11.9	49.6
2012	212	19.1	11.0	42.5
2013	214	19.7	10.8	51.9
2014	204	20.7	9.8	50.5
2015	209	16.0	13.0	50.2
2016	196	14.0	14.0	48.5
2017	213	13.9	15.2	43.7
2018	218	13.4	16.1	42.2
2019	201	14.9	13.4	44.3
2020	186	12.9	14.3	46.2
2021	180	12.4	14.4	38.9
2022	189	11.9	15.8	31.2
2023	202	10.8	18.6	42.6
2024	179	10.7	16.6	50.3

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 Twin Cedars Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$838 (6.7%)	$11,621 (93.3%)	$12,458

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Twin Cedars Elementary School

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 499^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 447^th of 565 Elementary schools	3.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	59.3	52	7.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Community School District)	59.3	52	7.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	70.4	72	1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Community School District)	70.4	72	1.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	41.2	66.7	25.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Community School District)	41.2	66.7	25.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	70.6	50	20.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Community School District)	70.6	50	20.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	33.3	64	30.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Community School District)	33.3	64	30.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	57.1	52	5.1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Community School District)	57.1	52	5.1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	35.7	60.9	25.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Twin Cedars Community School District)	35.7	60.9	25.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.5	72.7	5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Elementary School)	64.3	60.9	3.4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Twin Cedars Community School District)	64.3	60.9	3.4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	69.9	0.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	201	202	0.5%
African American	0	0
American Indian	0	1
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	8	5	37.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	188	189	0.5%
Two or More Races	4	7	75%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	44.3%	42.6%	1.7%

Schools Near Twin Cedars Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)				ISASP Mathematics (2024)				ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 6th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 6th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Twin Cedars Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2204 Highway G71	Bussey	50044	Marion County	Twin Cedars Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 944-5245	179	11	16.6	50.3%	166 (92.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.2%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.9%)	31.3	437^th of 557 public elementary schools	21.5%		28.5	447^th of 565 public elementary schools	20.9%	10	57.9	64.0	63.2	63.2	78.9	56.0	68.4	36.8	57.9	$12,458	$838	$11,621
Northstar Elementary School	Public	3-5	407 W Larson	Knoxville	50138	Marion County	Knoxville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 842-6527	342	24	14.4	52.6%	299 (87.4%)	3 (0.9%)	16 (4.7%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.8%)	34.9	415^th of 557 public elementary schools	25.5%		26.7	455^th of 565 public elementary schools	19.5%	40	49.5	69.7	62.7		75.2	68.0	58.2		52.3	$13,116	$644	$12,471
West Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	306 S Park Lane Dr	Knoxville	50138	Marion County	Knoxville Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 842-2185	490	30	16.0	48.6%	443 (90.4%)	9 (1.8%)	10 (2.0%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.5%)								(n/a)										$13,948	$757	$13,191
Madison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	950 E. University St.	Pella	50219	Marion County	Pella Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 628-4638	486	34	14.1	24.1%	428 (88.1%)	8 (1.6%)	27 (5.6%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.1%)								(n/a)	70.5				82.9					$10,607	$378	$10,228
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	1111 North Main Street	Pella	50219	Marion County	Pella Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 628-3970	334	24	14.0	13.8%	292 (87.4%)	2 (0.6%)	13 (3.9%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.4%)	13 (3.9%)								(n/a)	83.9				91.9					$9,627	$201	$9,425
Lincoln Center	Public	3-6	222 N 2nd Street	Albia	52531	Monroe County	Albia Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 932-2161	304	23	13.2	42.4%	282 (92.8%)	3 (1.0%)	11 (3.6%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.0%)	65.1	199^th of 557 public elementary schools	64.3%		70.7	160^th of 565 public elementary schools	71.7%	39	61.3	76.4	75.9	83.6	84.0	77.8	75.9	74.6	72.3	$11,237	$464	$10,772
Kendall Center	Public	PK	701 Washington Ave E	Albia	52531	Monroe County	Albia Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 932-2161	64	2	32.0	18.8%	61 (95.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.7%)								(n/a)
Oskaloosa Elementary School	Public	K-5	1801 Orchard Ave	Oskaloosa	52577	Mahaska County	Oskaloosa Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 673-8092	896	74	12.0	48.0%	760 (84.8%)	22 (2.5%)	34 (3.8%)	13 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (7.4%)	36.3	406^th of 557 public elementary schools	27.1%		37.5	415^th of 565 public elementary schools	26.5%	9	57.6	66.4	58.0		73.6	73.8	59.8		53.1	$12,331	$765	$11,567
Grant Center	Public	K-2	520 South Clinton Street	Albia	52531	Monroe County	Albia Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(641) 932-2161	226	18	12.6	43.4%	211 (93.4%)	2 (0.9%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	10 (4.4%)								(n/a)										$12,633	$1,337	$11,297
Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK	Public	PK	1521 Green Street	Oskaloosa	52577	Mahaska County	Oskaloosa Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(641) 670-7700	120	4	30.4	22.5%	103 (85.8%)	1 (0.8%)	5 (4.2%)	3 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (6.7%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Twin Cedars Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Twin Cedars Elementary School?

Students at Twin Cedars Elementary School are 93% White, 4% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

What district is Twin Cedars Elementary School in?

Twin Cedars Community School District

What schools do graduates of Twin Cedars Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Twin Cedars Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Twin Cedars Junior-Senior High School

How many students attend Twin Cedars Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 179 students attended Twin Cedars Elementary School.

Is Twin Cedars Elementary School a good school?

Twin Cedars Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.5% of Iowa elementary schools.

Rate Twin Cedars Elementary School!

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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.