The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Math. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Monroe Elementary School
Monroe Elementary School is a regular public school in the small town of Monroe, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through third grade. It is part of the PCM Community School District, a merged district that also includes PCM Community High School in Monroe and PCM Middle School in the neighboring town of Prairie City. Because this school covers only the earliest grades, it does not have a graduation rate, and its academic performance data comes from a single tested grade.
State testing results for the most recent year show that in both math and English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient fell below the midpoint among districts in Jasper County when viewed as part of the overall district proficiency index. Math proficiency was stronger than English language arts within the school, with just over half of students reaching the proficient level in math, while a little more than two in five reached it in English language arts. Science results from a prior year showed a lower proficiency rate, though that test was taken by students in a different cohort and grade. All students in tested grades participated in the assessments.
The student body is predominantly white, reflecting the broader demographics of the area. A notable share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Enrollment is small, with just under two hundred students spread across pre-kindergarten through third grade, with the largest group in pre-kindergarten. The school’s size means students move through these early grades in a contained, familiar environment before transitioning to the district’s middle school in Prairie City.
Monroe itself is a car-dependent rural community about a thirty-mile drive southeast of Des Moines. The town’s economy centers on manufacturing, construction, and health care, though many residents commute to nearby communities for work. The housing market shows a modest increase in property values over the past year, and home values in the area are in a range comparable to the statewide benchmark. The town is described by its city government as a progressive community, and it contains civic anchors such as city hall, a volunteer fire and rescue department, a small police force, and a park named Tool’s Point. No public library or public transit system was identified in available sources. Population growth has been slow and steady since the last census.
The PCM Community School District runs the elementary schools in both Monroe and Prairie City, and students from the district’s attendance zone move through Monroe Elementary, then to the middle school in Prairie City, and eventually to the high school in Monroe. The district’s organizational structure means that families choosing Monroe Elementary are committing to a pathway where their child will change schools at least twice before finishing high school.
For a parent considering this school, the primary academic picture is one of early-grade instruction in a small setting where state math proficiency is higher than English language arts proficiency, and where overall performance relative to other Jasper County districts sits toward the lower end. The size and grade span make for a contained, neighborhood-style elementary experience. The school does not offer the programs or course access metrics that apply to older students, and no data on special education or English learner populations was reported. A parent may want to ask the school directly about support services for students who need extra help, particularly in reading, given the English language arts results. The town offers limited commercial and civic infrastructure but is within commuting distance of larger employment centers, and the housing market is accessible relative to national averages.
See more original research from School Decision →