The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in English language arts. The lowest is 63% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Prairie Creek
Prairie Creek is a public intermediate school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, serving only grades five and six. It is part of the College Community School District and occupies a building that opened in fall 2023, funded by a voter-approved bond referendum. The building was designed specifically for this grade band and sits on a large site south of Prairie Point Middle School. Because it covers only two grades, the school does not report a graduation rate or any high-school-level indicators; its academic profile is captured entirely through state assessments in math, reading, and science.
On the Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress, a majority of Prairie Creek students met proficiency in English language arts and in math, while science results were slightly lower. The overall proficiency index across tested subjects placed the school in the bottom quarter relative to other districts in Linn County. That comparison should be read with the understanding that Prairie Creek is a single grade-two school, and the district-level cohort includes schools serving a wider range of grades. Still, parents looking at these results may want to ask the school about specific supports in math and science, where the gap relative to the county median is most noticeable. Only one year of assessment data was available at the time of this narrative, so trend information is not yet available.
The student body is majority white, with Black students making up the next largest group, followed by students who identify as two or more races and Hispanic students. Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students each account for a small share. More than a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a standard indicator of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported.
Housing in the zip code where Prairie Creek is located reflects a moderately priced market. Home values are somewhat below the state average, and rents have been rising at a faster pace than the national rate. The broader Cedar Rapids metropolitan area has seen steady population growth, with a major data center project announced in 2025. The city is the economic hub of Eastern Iowa, anchored by large employers in aerospace, trucking, insurance, and grain processing. The grain processing industry is particularly visible, with facilities from Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, General Mills, and a historic Quaker Oats mill dominating the north side of downtown. The city is still navigating recovery from a devastating flood that damaged many civic buildings, including City Hall and the main public library.
The College Community School District has been actively expanding its facilities. In addition to Prairie Creek Intermediate, a new ninth-grade center opened in fall 2024 in the building that formerly housed the intermediate school. An agriculture building and FFA program launched in 2022, expanding career and technical education options for older students. A community YMCA adjacent to one of the elementary schools broke ground in late 2024 and is expected to open in spring 2026, adding competition pools, basketball courts, and fitness space that will serve both school teams and the broader community.
For a family considering this school, Prairie Creek offers a dedicated intermediate setting for two transitional years, housed in a brand-new building. Academic proficiency is moderate and falls below the county median in a comparison that includes district-wide averages. The school serves a socioeconomically diverse population in a city with a strong industrial base and ongoing investment. Parents who want to understand instructional strategies in math and science may find it useful to speak with the school directly, and those new to the area should note that the broader district is in a period of facility expansion and grade reconfiguration.
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