Very Good
#345 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 27% in state
Viola Gibson Elementary School
Elementary School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District
6101 Gibson Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Rapids
#6 of 40
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#220 of 662
In district
#5 of 31
Cedar Rapids Comm School District
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Viola Gibson Elementary School
Viola Gibson Elementary School serves 575 students in grades prekindergarten through fifth in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9 to 1, allowing for reasonably sized classes that support individual attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #259 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools.
Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 85% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 79% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Located on Gibson Drive in northeast Cedar Rapids, Viola Gibson Elementary sits within an affluent community where families are deeply invested in education. The surrounding neighborhood reflects this commitment, with 62% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $163,274.
The area maintains a very low poverty rate of just 2.5%, with median home values around $416,600. This combination of strong academic results, dedicated teaching staff, and a supportive community environment creates an educational setting where young learners can thrive. Viola Gibson Elementary operates within Cedar Rapids' mid-size city setting, offering families both quality education and the benefits of a well-established urban community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Viola Gibson Elementary School — Students at Viola Gibson Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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 Viola Gibson Elementary School Compares
See how Viola Gibson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 81% (2019) to 85% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 79% (2022).
Location
6101 Gibson Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Viola Gibson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nixon Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Hiawatha), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maple Grove Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wright Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52411 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$164,972
Median Home Value
$424,500
Median Rent
$1,275/mo
Population
8,357
College Educated
59.4%
Homeownership
98%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Median Age
49.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Viola Gibson Elementary School has a median household income of $164,972. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,500, with a median rent of $1,275/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Atkins Elementary School Atkins, IA | 7.2 |
| Ekstrand Elementary School De Witt, IA | 7.2 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines, IA | 7.2 |
| Hudson Elementary School Hudson, IA | 7.2 |
| Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids, IA | 7.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Osage, IA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Viola Gibson Elementary School
What grades does Viola Gibson Elementary School serve?
Viola Gibson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Viola Gibson Elementary School?
Viola Gibson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Viola Gibson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Viola Gibson Elementary School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Viola Gibson Elementary School rank in IA?
Viola Gibson Elementary School is ranked #345 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Viola Gibson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Viola Gibson Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Viola Gibson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Viola Gibson Elementary School has 85.5% math proficiency and 82.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Viola Gibson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Viola Gibson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Viola Gibson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Viola Gibson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Viola Gibson Elementary School?
15.1% of students at Viola Gibson Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 8 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 19 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 32 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,957/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cedar Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 575
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Linn County
- Phone
- (319) 558-2920
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cedar Rapids Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 15,589
- Schools in District
- 34
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,623
- District Rank
- #5 of 31
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
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