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Average

#734 of 1,280 schools in IA

Pierce Elementary School

Elementary School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District

4343 Marilyn Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Enrollment

335

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cedar Rapids

#19 of 40

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#411 of 662

In district

#13 of 31

Cedar Rapids Comm School District

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Pierce Elementary School

Pierce Elementary School is a regular public school located in the heart of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Pierce Elementary offers an educational environment with 335 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 23 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic growth of their young learners.

Pierce Elementary School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks 889th among all schools in Iowa, placing it in the 31st percentile statewide. The school’s performance in core subjects shows that 71% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 73% in Math, and 74% in Science. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Pierce Elementary remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

Located within the bustling mid-size city of Cedar Rapids, Pierce Elementary is situated in an area known for its vibrant community spirit and diverse educational offerings. The school’s setting provides students with easy access to various cultural and recreational activities that complement their academic pursuits.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pierce Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-19.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,232

Pierce Elementary School — Students at Pierce Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.6%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
81.6%
ELA
73.7%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Pierce Elementary School Compares

See how Pierce Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

4343 Marilyn Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pierce Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nixon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Hiawatha), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wright Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUMMIT SCHOOLS (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
John F Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids 0.2 mi 5.7
Hiawatha Elementary School Hiawatha 1.1 mi 6.7
ST PIUS X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 0.9 mi 5.1
ISAAC NEWTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cedar Rapids 1.2 mi 6.2
Wright Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.0 mi 7.8
ESSENTIAL MONTESSORI Hiawatha 1.2 mi
Nixon Elementary School Hiawatha 1.6 mi 8.3
Harding Middle School Cedar Rapids 1.4 mi 6.4
SUMMIT SCHOOLS Cedar Rapids 1.5 mi 7.5
Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.8 mi 3.6
REGIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.1 mi 4.9
Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 7.2
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 4.6
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi 4.8
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Elementary Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi
Viola Gibson Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.2 mi 7.2
Franklin Middle School Cedar Rapids 2.5 mi 4.9
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.4 mi 6.5
ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.6 mi 6.6
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 2.4 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52402 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,319

Median Home Value

$188,700

Median Rent

$992/mo

Population

43,076

College Educated

41.4%

Homeownership

64.9%

Avg Commute

17.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pierce Elementary School has a median household income of $71,319. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,700, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. 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
Adel Elementary School Adel, IA 6.1
Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point, IA 6.1
Central Elementary School Coralville, IA 6.1
Epworth Elementary School Epworth, IA 6.1
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City, IA 6.1
Grundy Center Elementary School Grundy Center, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pierce Elementary School

What grades does Pierce Elementary School serve?

Pierce Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Pierce Elementary School?

Pierce Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 335 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pierce Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pierce Elementary School rank in IA?

Pierce Elementary School is ranked #734 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pierce Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierce Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Pierce Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierce Elementary School has 72.6% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pierce Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Pierce Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Pierce Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierce Elementary School?

32.8% of students at Pierce Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,957/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cedar Rapids). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
335
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Linn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cedar Rapids Comm School District
District Enrollment
15,589
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,623
District Rank
#13 of 31

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 methodology

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