Skip to main content

Below Average

#1074 of 1,280 schools in IA

Prairie High School

High School · College Comm School District

401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Enrollment

1,271

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

4.5

Grades

10th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,074 of 1,280

In Cedar Rapids

#21 of 40

public schools

In district

#8 of 10

College Comm School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Prairie High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Prairie High School

4.5/10

High School in Cedar Rapids · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Prairie Crest Elementary

5.8/10

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

Prairie Ridge Elementary

7.9/10

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

About Prairie High School

Prairie High School is a public high school in Cedar Rapids, IA, part of College Comm School District. Prairie High School serves approximately 1,271 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,074 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Prairie High School show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below IA schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Prairie High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency72% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)78% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation22.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,061
Chronic Absenteeism41.3%

Prairie High School — Students at Prairie High School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 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
82%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
84%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
81%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
64%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
64%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
66.7%
ELA
76.8%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Prairie High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in IA
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 1.7
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
22.5% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

401 76th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Metro High School (rated 3.7/10, 4.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Thomas Jefferson High School (rated 3.0/10, 4.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Prairie Crest Elementary Cedar Rapids 0.2 mi 5.8
Prairie Ridge Elementary Cedar Rapids 0.3 mi 7.9
Prairie View Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.3 mi 8.4
Prairie Heights Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.5 mi 5.5
Prairie Hill Elementary School Cedar Rapids 0.5 mi 7.8
Prairie Early Childhood Center Cedar Rapids 0.6 mi 2.8
Prairie Point Cedar Rapids 0.8 mi 5.1
Prairie Creek Cedar Rapids 1.0 mi 4.8
Prairie Edge Cedar Rapids 1.4 mi 3.5
Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids 3.3 mi 2.8
Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids 3.6 mi 3.8
Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids 4.0 mi 3.4
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids 4.6 mi 3.7
Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids 4.5 mi 3.0
Metro High School Cedar Rapids 4.9 mi 3.7
Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Cedar Rapids 5.1 mi 4.5
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids 5.0 mi 2.8
McKinley STEAM Academy Cedar Rapids 5.3 mi 4.3
LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 5.2 mi 7.5
LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 5.2 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Waukee High School Waukee, IA 4.6
East High School Waterloo, IA 4.2
Hoover High School Des Moines, IA 4.2
Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA 4.8
John F Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.8
Muscatine High School Muscatine, IA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie High School

What grades does Prairie High School serve?

Prairie High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Prairie High School?

Prairie High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie High School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie High School rank in IA?

Prairie High School ranks #1,074 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Prairie High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie High School has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Prairie High School a charter school?

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

Is Prairie High School a Title I school?

No, Prairie High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

30.4% of students at Prairie High 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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,271
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
72
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Linn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.3%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.