The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Science. The lowest is 48% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on James Wilson Grimes School
James Wilson Grimes School serves children from kindergarten through fourth grade in Burlington, Iowa, as part of the Burlington Community School District. It is a regular public elementary school, and its single building sits on the south side of the city. The school is small for its grade band, with a student body that is majority white, a sizable Black enrollment, and smaller shares of students who are Hispanic or identify as two or more races. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a community where economic need is widespread.
Academically, the school’s most recent state assessment results from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress show that in both math and English language arts, roughly half of students scored at or above the proficiency benchmark. These results place the school in the bottom quarter for overall proficiency among the four districts that make up Des Moines County. A parent considering Grimes should be aware that the school’s overall performance on these state measures is lower than that of many neighboring schools in the county. Older science scores from before the pandemic, while somewhat higher, involved a different assessment and are not directly comparable to current results — the state changed both the test and the cut scores in the intervening years, so that older data should be interpreted with care. Participation in testing was complete, which is a positive sign for accountability.
Because Grimes serves only the primary grades, there is no graduation rate to consider, nor are there high school–level measures such as college readiness or dropout rates. The school’s program offerings, discipline data, and staffing information were not available in the data provided, so a fuller picture of daily classroom experience would require direct inquiry with the school or the district. The district itself has recently undertaken a major renovation at Burlington High School — a new science wing, modernized classrooms, and added security — and offers a virtual learning program for older students, but these are not directly relevant to Grimes.
The community context is important. Burlington is a small micropolitan city on the Mississippi River bluffs, long shaped by manufacturing, railroad maintenance, and healthcare. The largest local employer is Great River Medical Center. The city has seen population decline over recent decades, and its housing market is moderately priced relative to national and state benchmarks. The downtown area is compact and historic, with landmarks such as Snake Alley and the Heritage Hill district, but residential neighborhoods outside the core are mostly auto-oriented. The overall economic trajectory is one of gradual contraction rather than growth, a pattern familiar across much of the rural Midwest.
For a family weighing Grimes, this is a school serving a high-need population in a city with a modest economic base. Its academic results are below the county average, which is a point to explore further with the school about instructional supports and interventions. The small size and early-grade focus mean students receive a foundation in a relatively intimate setting. As with any school where test scores are lower than desired, a parent may want to visit, talk with the principal about how the school addresses skill gaps, and ask about class sizes and reading supports. The surrounding district has prioritized high school facilities and remote learning options, so the share of district attention directed at the elementary level is worth understanding. The school does not have a charter or magnet designation; it is a neighborhood elementary building operating within a traditional public school system.
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