Average
#793 of 1,280 schools in IA
Prairie City Elementary School
Elementary School · PCM Comm School District
PO BOX 490 309 East Plainsmen Road, Prairie City, IA 50228
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#793 of 1,280
In Prairie City
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#2 of 4
PCM Comm School District
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Prairie City Elementary School
Elementary School in Prairie City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pcm Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Colfax-mingo Elementary School
5.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie City Elementary School
Prairie City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Prairie City, IA, part of PCM Comm School District. Prairie City Elementary School serves approximately 312 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #793 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie City Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- District avg 5.0
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Prairie City Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie City Elementary School — Students at Prairie City Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.4/10.
How Prairie City Elementary School Compares
See how Prairie City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO BOX 490 309 East Plainsmen Road, Prairie City, IA 50228
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mitchellville Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Mitchellville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodrow Wilson Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Runnells Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Runnels), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Prairie City, see our Prairie City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PCM Middle School Prairie City | 0.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Colfax-Mingo Elementary School Colfax | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Runnells Elementary Runnels | 8.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe | 8.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville | 8.6 mi | 9.5 |
| PCM High School Monroe | 8.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Newton | 10.9 mi | 6.7 |
| WEST Academy Alternative School Newton | 11.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Newton | 11.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill | 10.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Newton Senior High School Newton | 11.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 10.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville | 14.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Pleasantville High School Pleasantville | 14.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville | 14.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 11.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Hartford Upper Elementary Carlisle | 12.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton | 12.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 12.1 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50228 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,511
Median Home Value
$197,200
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
2,345
College Educated
31.2%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
32.7 min
Poverty Rate
1%
Median Age
39
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 5.9 |
| Mark Twain Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 5.9 |
| Van Allen Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 5.9 |
| West Marshall Elementary School State Center, IA | 5.9 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie City Elementary School
What grades does Prairie City Elementary School serve?
Prairie City Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Prairie City Elementary School?
Prairie City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie City Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie City Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie City Elementary School rank in IA?
Prairie City Elementary School ranks #793 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Prairie City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Prairie City Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie City Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Prairie City Elementary School a charter school?
No, Prairie City Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie City Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Prairie City Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie City Elementary School?
27.9% of students at Prairie City 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jasper County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.0%
- Phone
- (515) 994-8222
Resources & Links
District
PCM Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,088
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,871
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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