The top reported proficiency rate is 98% in English language arts. The lowest is 92% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Virgil Grissom Elementary School
Virgil Grissom Elementary School sits on the west edge of Princeton, a small Mississippi River town in Scott County, Iowa. It serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade and is one of the elementary schools in the North Scott Community School District. The school building opened some years ago and is physically separate from the town’s modest downtown core; older students in the district attend junior high and high school in nearby Eldridge, where the district administration is also located.
The academic profile at Virgil Grissom is a clear strength. On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, performance across tested subjects was high. In math, a very large majority of students scored at proficient or above. In English language arts, the share was even larger. Science results, though based on a smaller tested group (only the grades that take that exam), were similarly strong. All students participated in testing, so the results reflect the full tested population. Because this is a single year of data, no trend is available, but the level of achievement places the school in the top quartile among schools within Scott County districts for overall proficiency.
The student body is small, with enrollment that is typical for an elementary school of this grade span. The demographic composition is predominantly white. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the public reporting used here; a parent may want to ask the school directly about supports for those populations. No chronic absenteeism rate was reported either, which is not uncommon for elementary schools where attendance is generally strong.
Princeton itself is a low-density, car-dependent town. The population has been relatively stable with a slight decline in recent years. Most residents commute to work, and the typical commute is moderate in length, with many likely traveling to the broader Quad Cities area for employment. The homeownership rate is above the national average, and median property values are above the state benchmark. The town’s civic anchors include a city hall, a community center in a former general store building, and two churches. There is no dedicated walkability score in available sources, but the small size and riverfront location suggest limited local walking around the main commercial area.
No recent district-level changes of lasting impact were found in publicly available reporting. The district administration is based in Eldridge, and for families considering Virgil Grissom, it is worth noting that the elementary school is the only school in Princeton itself; students transition to a different town for secondary grades. That separation is a characteristic of the district’s geography, not a reflection of the school’s quality.
For a family looking at Virgil Grissom, the picture is straightforward. The school delivers strong academic results in a small, homogeneous setting. The town is quiet, residential, and oriented toward commuters. The housing market is above the state average in value, and the community has a stable, long-established character. This is a school that fits a family seeking high proficiency rates and a traditional elementary experience in a small-town Mississippi River environment, with the understanding that the middle and high school years will take place in a different town.
See more original research from School Decision →