Very Good
#331 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 26% in state
Prairie Trail Elementary
Elementary School · Ankeny Comm School District
1850 SW College Ave, Ankeny, IA 50023
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
542
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#331 of 1,280
In Ankeny
#2 of 17
public schools
In district
#2 of 17
Ankeny Comm School District
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Prairie Trail Elementary
Elementary School in Ankeny · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Crocker Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ankeny Christian Academy
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Prairie Trail Elementary
Prairie Trail Elementary is a public elementary school in Ankeny, IA, part of Ankeny Comm School District. Prairie Trail Elementary serves approximately 542 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Trail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #331 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Prairie Trail Elementary show 94% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.7
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Prairie Trail Elementary — Students at Prairie Trail Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 91%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 29 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: 7.6/10.
How Prairie Trail Elementary Compares
See how Prairie Trail Elementary 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
1850 SW College Ave, Ankeny, IA 50023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Prairie Trail Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heritage Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cornell Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Northeast Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ankeny, see our Ankeny schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Southview Middle School Ankeny | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Heritage Elementary Ankeny | 1.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Ankeny High School Ankeny | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Westwood Elementary School Ankeny | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Parkview Middle School Ankeny | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Terrace Learning Center Ankeny | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 2.1 mi | — |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Northview Middle School Ankeny | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Southeast Elementary School Ankeny | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Cornell Elementary School Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny | 3.1 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,914
Median Home Value
$327,200
Median Rent
$1,191/mo
Population
45,286
College Educated
55.3%
Homeownership
70.4%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
32.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City, IA | 7.6 |
| Hudson Elementary School Hudson, IA | 7.6 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA | 7.6 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 7.5 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill, IA | 7.5 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Prairie Trail Elementary
What grades does Prairie Trail Elementary serve?
Prairie Trail Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Prairie Trail Elementary?
Prairie Trail Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 542 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Trail Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Trail Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Prairie Trail Elementary rank in IA?
Prairie Trail Elementary ranks #331 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Prairie Trail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Prairie Trail Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Trail Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Trail Elementary has 94% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
Is Prairie Trail Elementary a charter school?
No, Prairie Trail Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Prairie Trail Elementary a Title I school?
No, Prairie Trail Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Trail Elementary?
6.8% of students at Prairie Trail Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 542
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 6.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.5%
- Phone
- (515) 965-9605
Resources & Links
District
Ankeny Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 12,669
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,127
- District Rank
- #2 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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