Average
#629 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 49% 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
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
455
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grimes
#2 of 7
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#361 of 662
In district
#2 of 7
Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About South Prairie Elementary
South Prairie Elementary serves 455 kindergarten through fourth-grade students in Grimes, Iowa, with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #276 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools. Students at South Prairie Elementary show strong literacy skills, with 82% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels.
Mathematics performance is also solid, with 72% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. These academic results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education during these foundational learning years. The school draws families from an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $100,971 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a low poverty rate of just 6.3% and median home values around $279,400, the neighborhood provides a stable environment that supports student learning and family engagement. South Prairie Elementary operates within Grimes' large suburban setting in Polk County, serving a community of approximately 15,745 residents who value educational excellence and family-friendly amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
South Prairie Elementary — Students at South Prairie Elementary score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
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 10 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: 5.9/10.
How South Prairie Elementary Compares
See how South Prairie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 80% (2019) to 82% (2022).
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. Beaver Creek Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Johnston), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Webster Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Walnut Hills Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), 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 | 3.6 |
| DC-G Oak View Grimes | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| North Ridge Elementary Grimes | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Johnston Senior High School Johnston | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Horizon Elementary Johnston | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Webster Elementary School Urbandale | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Summit Middle School Johnston | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Walnut Hills Elementary School Urbandale | 3.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Radiant Elementary School Urbandale | 3.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Shuler Elementary School Clive | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Woodward-Granger Elementary School Granger | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Woodward-Granger Early Learning Center Granger | 5.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 4.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 4.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Eason Elementary School Waukee | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee | 5.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 4.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 5.3 mi | 7.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Prairie Elementary has a median household income of $108,352. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,700, with a median rent of $1,156/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbus Elementary School Chariton, IA | 6.4 |
| Greene County Elementary Jefferson, IA | 6.4 |
| Helen A Hansen Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 6.4 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 6.4 |
| Northwood-Kensett Elementary Northwood, IA | 6.4 |
| Prairie Hill Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.4 |
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 is ranked #629 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Prairie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Prairie Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 South Prairie Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Prairie Elementary has 78.5% math proficiency and 81.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Low (132/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 986-4057
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,770
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,408
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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 methodologyRelated 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.