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Needs Improvement

#1138 of 1,280 schools in IA

West Willow Elementary School

Elementary School · Cedar Rapids Comm School District

6225 1st Av SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

Enrollment

541

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,138 of 1,280

In Cedar Rapids

#28 of 40

public schools

In district

#21 of 31

Cedar Rapids Comm School District

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West Willow Elementary School

3.9/10

Elementary School in Cedar Rapids · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Truman Early Learning Center

Nearby

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

Taft Middle School

6.7/10

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

About West Willow Elementary School

West Willow Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cedar Rapids, IA, part of Cedar Rapids Comm School District. West Willow Elementary School serves approximately 541 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.9:1 student-teacher ratio. West Willow Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,138 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for West Willow Elementary School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.5
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,623
Chronic Absenteeism16.1%

West Willow Elementary School — Students at West Willow Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 76.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
68.1%
ELA
66.3%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How West Willow Elementary School Compares

See how West Willow Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in IA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.1%

Programs & Offerings

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

6225 1st Av SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Willow Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Viola Gibson Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maple Grove Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cedar Rapids, see our Cedar Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Truman Early Learning Center Cedar Rapids 0.8 mi
Taft Middle School Cedar Rapids 0.9 mi 6.7
Hoover Elementary School Cedar Rapids 1.4 mi 5.4
LASALLE CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 8.0
LASALLE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 1.7 mi 7.5
Maple Grove Elementary Cedar Rapids 1.9 mi 6.3
Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.4 mi 4.8
Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.5 mi 3.4
Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids 2.5 mi 2.8
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Middle Cedar Rapids 3.1 mi 4.0
Cedar Rapids Virtual Academy Elementary Cedar Rapids 3.1 mi
Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids 2.8 mi 3.0
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL Cedar Rapids 4.1 mi 5.3
Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy Cedar Rapids 3.2 mi 4.5
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids 3.5 mi 3.5
Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids 3.8 mi 3.7
Viola Gibson Elementary School Cedar Rapids 5.1 mi 7.8
Wilson Middle School Cedar Rapids 4.5 mi 3.8
ISAAC NEWTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cedar Rapids 4.8 mi 6.2
Grant Elementary School Cedar Rapids 4.6 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,352

Median Home Value

$173,600

Median Rent

$1,043/mo

Population

25,889

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

73.6%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove, IA 3.9
Johnson STEAM Academy School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.9
Carver Elementary Des Moines, IA 3.8
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA 3.8
Greene County Elementary Jefferson, IA 3.8
Perkins Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Willow Elementary School

What grades does West Willow Elementary School serve?

West Willow Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend West Willow Elementary School?

West Willow Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 541 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Willow Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Willow 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 West Willow Elementary School rank in IA?

West Willow Elementary School ranks #1,138 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Willow Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Willow Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 West Willow Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Willow Elementary School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Willow Elementary School a charter school?

No, West Willow Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Willow Elementary School a Title I school?

No, West Willow Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Willow Elementary School?

42.7% of students at West Willow 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Linn County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.1%

District

Cedar Rapids Comm School District
District Enrollment
15,589
Schools in District
34
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,623
District Rank
#21 of 31

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