The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in Math. The lowest is 76% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School serves young students in Mason City from preschool through fourth grade, and its academic results for the 2024-25 school year place it in a strong position among districts in Cerro Gordo County. On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, the school’s combined proficiency in math and English language arts fell above the midpoint when measured against other districts in the county. A large majority of tested students scored at the proficient level or above in both subjects, with math performance somewhat stronger than English language arts. The school saw a full participation rate on the assessments, and the results represent a single year of data, so there is no trend line to show whether performance is rising or declining.
The student body at Jefferson is predominantly white, with a smaller mix of Hispanic, Black, multiracial, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students enrolled. More than two out of five students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a measurable share of low-income households in the attendance zone. The school has an enrollment that is moderate for an elementary school serving kindergarten through fourth grade; preschool is listed as a served grade, but the data showed no pre-K students counted in the enrollment totals. Jefferson is a regular public school and is neither a charter nor a magnet. It is part of the Mason City Community School District.
The district itself does not appear to have undergone any major recent changes or restructuring that would be visible in publicly reported sources. A search for recent developments turned up little of lasting impact, so prospective families would need to consult the district directly for any current plans around programming, facilities, or boundaries.
Mason City functions as a regional hub for north-central Iowa. Its economy draws on healthcare, education, manufacturing, and food processing, with major employers including a regional medical center, the community college, and several industrial plants. The city has a historic downtown with Prairie School architecture and cultural sites like Music Man Square and the Frank Lloyd Wright Park Inn Hotel. The community has seen gradual population decline over recent decades, and the housing market reflects that: home values in the area are well below both state and national benchmarks, and the typical monthly mortgage payment and rent are both moderate relative to income. The city is auto-dependent outside the downtown core, though it has a trail system that earned a national designation.
For a family considering Jefferson, the school offers a solid academic foundation at the elementary level, with proficiency numbers that compare favorably to other schools in the county. The student mix is diverse but not heavily so, and the economic profile of the school community suggests a range of family circumstances. Because the school ends at fourth grade, all students transition to a different building for the upper grades, which is a structural feature to plan for but not unusual. The absence of data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing means those areas are not possible to assess here. A parent seeking a fuller picture of the school climate would want to raise those questions with the district or principal directly.
See more original research from School Decision →