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Very Good

#288 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 22% in state

Dallas Center Elementary

Elementary School · Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District

255 SW Jazzwood Drive, Grimes, IA 50111

Enrollment

179

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#288 of 1,280

In Grimes

#3 of 7

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Dallas Center Elementary

7.8/10

Elementary School in Grimes · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dallas Center-grimes Middle School

7.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dallas Center Christian School

Nearby

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dallas Center Elementary

Dallas Center Elementary is a public elementary school in Grimes, IA, part of Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District. Dallas Center Elementary serves approximately 179 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Dallas Center Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #288 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Dallas Center Elementary show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 179 students, Dallas Center Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Dallas Center Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency91.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+14.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.8 pts
Overall Proficiency90% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,408
Chronic Absenteeism15.1%

Dallas Center Elementary — Students at Dallas Center Elementary score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 81.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 32 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
90%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2015
Math
88%
ELA
88%
2016
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
91.1%
ELA
88.9%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Dallas Center Elementary Compares

See how Dallas Center Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
78th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

255 SW Jazzwood Drive, Grimes, IA 50111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dallas Center Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waukee Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Waukee), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Walnut Hills Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Meadow View Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Adel), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grimes, see our Grimes schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School Grimes 0.3 mi 7.6
DALLAS CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dallas Center 1.6 mi
ADM Senior High School Adel 5.4 mi 7.3
ADM Middle School Adel 5.4 mi 7.8
Adel Elementary School Adel 5.2 mi 7.3
Northwest High School Waukee 5.2 mi 5.5
Meadow View Elementary Adel 6.0 mi 7.8
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 6.2 mi 8.4
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 6.1 mi 3.4
Radiant Elementary School Urbandale 5.7 mi 7.8
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee 6.2 mi 4.9
Waukee Middle School Waukee 6.8 mi 8.5
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 7.7 mi 6.4
Waukee High School Waukee 7.2 mi 4.6
Prairieview School Waukee 7.4 mi 4.9
Shuler Elementary School Clive 7.0 mi 7.8
Walnut Hills Elementary School Urbandale 7.0 mi 8.2
South Middle School Waukee 8.0 mi 6.1
Timberline School Waukee 8.1 mi 4.3
Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes 7.2 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,352

Median Home Value

$285,700

Median Rent

$1,156/mo

Population

16,254

College Educated

48.1%

Homeownership

70.6%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA 7.8
Davis Elementary School Grinnell, IA 7.8
John Glenn Elementary School Donahue, IA 7.8
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus, IA 7.8
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend, IA 7.8
Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston, IA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dallas Center Elementary

What grades does Dallas Center Elementary serve?

Dallas Center Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Dallas Center Elementary?

Dallas Center Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 179 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dallas Center Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dallas Center Elementary is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dallas Center Elementary rank in IA?

Dallas Center Elementary ranks #288 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Dallas Center Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dallas Center Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Dallas Center Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dallas Center Elementary has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Dallas Center Elementary a charter school?

No, Dallas Center Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dallas Center Elementary a Title I school?

No, Dallas Center Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dallas Center Elementary?

24.6% of students at Dallas Center Elementary 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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
179
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dallas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.1%

District

Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,770
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,408
District Rank
#3 of 7

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