The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Math. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Grant Elementary School
GrantElementary School is a regular public elementary school in Cedar Rapids, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Cedar Rapids Community School District, the second-largest public school system in Iowa, and is located on the city's southwest side. For a family evaluating this school, the story that emerges from the data is one of a high-needs student population paired with academic proficiency that trails the broader area.
The student body is diverse in composition and economically disadvantaged in large measure. Enrollment is modest for an elementary school. About half the students are white, roughly a quarter are Black, more than a tenth are Hispanic, and a substantial share identify as two or more races. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that positions the school well above typical levels even within a district that serves many low-income families. Information on special education and English learner populations was not available in the data provided.
Academically, state assessment results from the most recent testing year show proficiency rates below half in all three tested subjects: math, English language arts, and science. When compared against other districts within Linn County, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. This is a single year of data, so trend information is unavailable, but it gives a clear indication that a significant share of students are not meeting grade-level benchmarks. A parent may want to follow up directly with the school to understand what interventions or supports are in place.
Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized city that functions as the economic engine of Eastern Iowa, anchored by grain processing, manufacturing, and the headquarters of major firms such as Collins Aerospace. The housing market in the school's zip code is moderate by regional standards, with home values and rents below state averages, reflecting the area's affordability. The city's metro population has seen steady growth, and recent large-scale investment—including a data center project announced in 2025—points to ongoing economic development.
The district context is critical for Grant families. The Cedar Rapids Community School District has been executing a multi-year elementary facilities master plan that opened three new elementary schools between 2022 and 2024 while closing older buildings and redrawing attendance boundaries. That reshaping of the district map directly affects which school a child attends. At the same time, the district has been navigating budget shortfalls driven by declining enrollment and state funding that has not kept pace with inflation, leading to staff cuts and program adjustments for the 2024-25 school year. These pressures may affect class sizes and resource availability at Grant.
What is not in the data is also worth noting. No information was reported on course access, staffing ratios, discipline rates, or after-school programming. For a school that serves only elementary grades, graduation rate and many secondary measures do not apply. The school's website was not examined during this analysis, so a family would need to seek out specific offerings such as art, music, physical education, or any specialized programs directly from the school.
Grant Elementary offers a neighborhood-school experience in a district undergoing significant change. The academic challenges are real and clearly reflected in the state testing record, and the economic circumstances of the student body are pronounced. For a parent who values a diverse, urban public school community and is willing to engage closely with the school on academic support, this may be a fit. For those prioritizing higher baseline proficiency or a district with a more stable financial trajectory, it would be worth comparing with other options in Cedar Rapids or the surrounding Linn County area.
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