Needs Improvement
#1218 of 1,280 schools in IA
James Wilson Grimes School
Elementary School · Burlington Comm School District
800 South St., Burlington, IA 52601
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burlington
#7 of 8
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#628 of 662
In district
#7 of 8
Burlington Comm School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About James Wilson Grimes School
James Wilson Grimes School is an elementary school located in Burlington, Iowa, within Des Moines County. Situated at 800 South St., the school serves kindergarten through fourth grade students with a total enrollment of 247 pupils. The student-teacher ratio stands at 11.8:1, providing a relatively personalized learning environment for each child.
James Wilson Grimes School has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds. While the MySchoolScout rating is currently 3.3 out of 10 and the academic score is 1.7 out of 10, indicating areas where improvement could be beneficial, the school remains committed to supporting student development in reading and math with proficiency rates at 55% for ELA/Reading and 50% for Math. The setting of James Wilson Grimes School is in a remote town, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.
Students benefit from small class sizes and dedicated educators who are focused on their growth and well-being.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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James Wilson Grimes School — Students at James Wilson Grimes School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.6/10.
How James Wilson Grimes School Compares
See how James Wilson Grimes School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
800 South St., Burlington, IA 52601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Wilson Grimes School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sunnyside Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Danville Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Danville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Hill Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,123
Median Home Value
$125,500
Median Rent
$921/mo
Population
27,465
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
71.2%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Wilson Grimes School has a median household income of $57,123. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $125,500, with a median rent of $921/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA | 3.9 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa, IA | 3.9 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray, IA | 3.9 |
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 4.0 |
| Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.0 |
| Hoover Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Wilson Grimes School
What grades does James Wilson Grimes School serve?
James Wilson Grimes School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend James Wilson Grimes School?
James Wilson Grimes School has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Wilson Grimes School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Wilson Grimes School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Wilson Grimes School rank in IA?
James Wilson Grimes School is ranked #1218 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is James Wilson Grimes School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Wilson Grimes School has a composite rating of 3.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Wilson Grimes School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Wilson Grimes School has 49.7% math proficiency and 54.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Wilson Grimes School a charter school?
No, James Wilson Grimes School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Wilson Grimes School a Title I school?
No, James Wilson Grimes School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Wilson Grimes School?
75.7% of students at James Wilson Grimes School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,261/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burlington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 247
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Des Moines County
- Phone
- (319) 753-0420
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Burlington Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,233
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,619
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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