The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in English language arts. The lowest is 81% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Valerius Elementary School
Valerius Elementary School is a regular public school in Urbandale, Iowa, serving children from preschool through fifth grade. It is part of the Urbandale Community School District, which covers this suburban city just northwest of Des Moines. Urbandale developed as a streetcar suburb and has seen sustained rapid growth, with the city expanding westward and annexing land in recent years. The built environment is largely suburban and car-oriented, though a network of parks and recreational trails connects neighborhoods. Major local employers include Marsh & McLennan, the school district itself, and several other corporate and industrial names, giving the area a stable economic base.
Academically, Valerius Elementary performs at a high level. On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress for the most recent testing year, student proficiency rates across math, reading, and science all sit well above the midpoint for Polk County districts. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places the school in the top quartile relative to other districts in the county. These results reflect a school where a clear majority of students are meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations. The district has been implementing competency-based education across all grade levels, meaning students move forward based on demonstrated mastery rather than time spent in class, so families should expect that approach to shape instruction at Valerius as well. Only a single year of state assessment data is available, so there is no trend line yet to show whether performance is improving or holding steady.
The student body is diverse. White students make up the largest share, with notable populations of Asian, Black, and Hispanic students, along with a smaller group of multiracial students. About two out of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a moderate level of economic need in the school community. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
Housing in Urbandale is moderately priced relative to national averages. Home values have shown modest recent growth, and rents are similarly positioned. The area remains affordable compared to many parts of the country, though property taxes increased after a district bond referendum passed in late 2023. That bond is funding a new elementary school, district-wide security upgrades, and additional classroom space at the high school. The district also redrew elementary attendance boundaries effective for the 2024-2025 school year to balance enrollment across its four elementary schools, with current students grandfathered in but new families subject to the new lines. Families moving into the area should confirm which school their child would attend.
The school itself operates on a standard elementary calendar with a regular curriculum. No information about specialized programs, after-school offerings, or class sizes was available in the data reviewed. Discipline data and chronic absenteeism rates were also not reported. For a school that serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to consider.
Valerius Elementary offers a strong academic record in a growing suburban community with a mix of housing options. Families who value high proficiency rates and a competency-based instructional model will find the school aligned with those priorities. The district’s recent bond investments and boundary adjustments are practical developments worth understanding before enrolling. A parent considering this school will want to follow up on special education and English learner services, as well as any enrichment or support programs that are not captured in the public data.
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