Excellent
#160 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 12% in state
South Prairie Elementary
Elementary School · Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District
255 SW Jazzwood Drive, Grimes, IA 50111
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#160 of 1,280
In Grimes
#1 of 7
public schools
In district
#1 of 7
Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around South Prairie Elementary?
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South Prairie Elementary
Elementary School in Grimes · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Heritage Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dc-g Oak View
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Prairie Elementary
South Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school in Grimes, IA, part of Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District. South Prairie Elementary serves approximately 455 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #160 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for South Prairie Elementary show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Prairie Elementary — Students at South Prairie Elementary score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 9.1/10.
How South Prairie Elementary Compares
See how South Prairie 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
255 SW Jazzwood Drive, Grimes, IA 50111
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Prairie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodward-Granger Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Granger), with a very similar rating. Another option is Walnut Hills Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, North Ridge Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grimes, see our Grimes schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Elementary Grimes | 1.2 mi | 3.3 |
| DC-G Oak View Grimes | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| North Ridge Elementary Grimes | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Johnston Senior High School Johnston | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Horizon Elementary Johnston | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Webster Elementary School Urbandale | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Walnut Hills Elementary School Urbandale | 3.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Radiant Elementary School Urbandale | 3.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Shuler Elementary School Clive | 4.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Woodward-Granger Elementary School Granger | 5.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Woodward-Granger Early Learning Center Granger | 5.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 4.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 4.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Eason Elementary School Waukee | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee | 5.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 4.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,352
Median Home Value
$285,700
Median Rent
$1,156/mo
Population
16,254
College Educated
48.1%
Homeownership
70.6%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
34.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines, IA | 8.2 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater, IA | 8.2 |
| Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner, IA | 8.2 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert, IA | 8.2 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Center Albia, IA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Prairie Elementary
What grades does South Prairie Elementary serve?
South Prairie Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend South Prairie Elementary?
South Prairie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 455 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Prairie Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Prairie Elementary is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Prairie Elementary rank in IA?
South Prairie Elementary ranks #160 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Prairie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 South Prairie Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Prairie Elementary has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).
Is South Prairie Elementary a charter school?
No, South Prairie Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Prairie Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Prairie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Prairie Elementary?
26.8% of students at South Prairie 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 455
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.7%
- Phone
- (515) 986-4057
Resources & Links
District
Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,770
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,408
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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