North Cedar Community School District

The North Cedar Community School District consists of three schools: two elementary schools (North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center and North Cedar Mechanicsville Elementary Center) and one junior/senior high school (North Cedar Junior/Senior High School). The district serves a population with significant economic challenges, as evidenced by the relatively high free and reduced lunch rates across the schools.

The two elementary schools in the district stand out as strong performers, with North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center ranked 119 out of 576 Iowa elementary schools and North Cedar Mechanicsville Elementary Center ranked 160 out of 557. Both schools have consistently strong performance on ISASP tests, with many grade levels scoring above the state average in English Language Arts and Mathematics. In contrast, the North Cedar Junior/Senior High School has seen a decline in its state ranking, dropping from 210 out of 336 Iowa high schools in 2022-2023 to 292 out of 340 in 2024-2025.

One area of concern across all three schools is the high chronic absenteeism rate of 21.6%, which is higher than the state average. This issue may impact student learning and achievement, and the district may need to address this challenge to improve overall educational outcomes. Additionally, the district's ability to address socioeconomic factors, such as the high free and reduced lunch rates, may be crucial in driving better outcomes for all students in the North Cedar Community School District.