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Average

#593 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 46% in state

Prairie Creek

Middle School · College Comm School District

401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Enrollment

820

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

5th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cedar Rapids

#15 of 40

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#125 of 248

In district

#6 of 10

College Comm School District

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Prairie Creek

Prairie Creek is a public middle school serving grades 5 through 6 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The school enrolls 820 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 56 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Prairie Creek is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 67% of students score at proficient levels or above, while mathematics and science proficiency each stand at 63%. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 reflects an academic score of 3.2 out of 10, and it ranks #892 out of 1,288 schools statewide, placing it in the 31st percentile. These metrics indicate the school has room for growth in student achievement, with opportunities to build stronger academic foundations across all grade levels.

The school's relatively balanced class sizes support more individualized attention, which can be helpful as the staff works to support student learning. Prairie Creek is situated in a rural area near town, offering students a community-connected school environment in Linn County.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Prairie Creek 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.

Located in a rural area, Prairie Creek may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg-14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,718

Prairie Creek — Students at Prairie Creek score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.7%
School
State
72.3%
ELA Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2025
Math
69.3%
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: 8.9/10.

How Prairie Creek Compares

See how Prairie Creek performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in IA
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Creek may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McKinley STEAM Academy (rated 6.6/10, 5.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy (rated 6.6/10, 5.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Prairie Point (rated 5.8/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Prairie Point Cedar Rapids 0.4 mi 5.8
Prairie Early Childhood Center Cedar Rapids 0.6 mi 5.1
Prairie Hill Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.6 mi 6.4
Prairie View Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.7 mi 8.2
Prairie Ridge Elementary Cedar Rapids 0.7 mi 7.7
Prairie Heights Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.8 mi 7.1
Prairie Crest Elementary Cedar Rapids 0.9 mi 6.9
Prairie High School Cedar Rapids 1.0 mi 6.1
Prairie Edge Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 6.9
Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids 4.0 mi 4.0
Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids 4.2 mi 4.7
Metro High School Cedar Rapids 5.4 mi 4.6
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids 5.4 mi 5.8
Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids 5.0 mi 3.9
Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids 5.3 mi 3.8
McKinley STEAM Academy Cedar Rapids 5.8 mi 6.6
Grant Wood Elementary School Cedar Rapids 5.9 mi 6.5
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 5.9 mi 6.2
Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Cedar Rapids 5.9 mi 6.6
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids 5.9 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52404 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,304

Median Home Value

$159,700

Median Rent

$885/mo

Population

42,582

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

67.4%

Avg Commute

18.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Prairie Creek has a median household income of $62,304. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,700, with a median rent of $885/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Boone Middle School Boone, IA 6.5
Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion, IA 6.5
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle, IA 6.5
Clinton Middle School Clinton, IA 6.5
Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School Dubuque, IA 6.5
Excelsior Middle School Marion, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Creek

What grades does Prairie Creek serve?

Prairie Creek serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Prairie Creek?

Prairie Creek has an enrollment of approximately 820 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Creek?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Creek 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 Prairie Creek rank in IA?

Prairie Creek is ranked #593 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Prairie Creek's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Creek has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Prairie Creek?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Creek has 62.7% math proficiency and 67.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie Creek a charter school?

No, Prairie Creek is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Prairie Creek a Title I school?

No, Prairie Creek is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Creek?

35.4% of students at Prairie Creek 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
5th – 6th
Enrollment
820
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Linn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

College Comm School District
District Enrollment
5,749
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,061
District Rank
#6 of 10

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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