The top reported proficiency rate is 90% in Math. The lowest is 77% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Woodward-granger Elementary School
Woodward-Granger Elementary School serves second through fifth grade within the Woodward-Granger Community School District, a regular public school in the small, fast-growing town of Granger about fifteen miles northwest of Des Moines. The school’s enrollment is concentrated in those four grades, so there is no pre-K or kindergarten on this campus, and no middle or high school component here. That means state testing data, which is available, reflects only the grades that are tested. The school has no graduation rate because it does not serve high school students, and that is to be expected for an elementary school.
Academically, the school posted strong results on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress. Proficiency in math and English language arts was high, with a clear majority of students meeting the state’s proficiency bar. Science, which is tested only in fifth grade, was a step lower, though still above the majority mark. Participation rates on the tests were very high, which lends confidence to the results. These scores represent a single year’s snapshot, so trends over time are not yet visible.
The student body is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic population and a very small share of students who identify as two or more races. The share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch is modest, suggesting a lower-poverty school relative to many others. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available information, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the supports in place.
No information was available on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or course access. These gaps limit a full picture of school climate and day-to-day operations. A parent looking at this school may want to inquire about class sizes, special education services, and enrichment offerings.
Granger itself is a fast-growing residential community that has seen a substantial population increase in recent years, with much of the growth driven by new housing construction and an influx of families commuting to the Des Moines metro. Home values and household incomes have risen noticeably, reflecting the area’s transformation from a small rural town into a suburban bedroom community. The school is part of the Woodward-Granger Community School District, which also includes the nearby town of Woodward, and a portion of Granger is served by the Johnston Community School District. The district’s most recent parent-relevant changes were not found in publicly available sources, so there is no confirmed information on recent bond votes, curriculum shifts, or facility projects.
In context with other districts in Dallas County, Woodward-Granger Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects sits above the midpoint of the county’s districts. That places it in the upper half of a generally high-performing county, though not at the very top. For a family seeking an elementary school in a growing, relatively affluent exurban setting with strong test results, Woodward-Granger Elementary is a solid option. The main unknowns are the school’s support structures for diverse learners and the day-to-day environment, both of which would require a direct conversation with the school to fill in.
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