Photo: ArtisticAbode · CC BY-SA 3.0Cedar Rapids’s public schools score below 88% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
54% of students in Cedar Rapids’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Cedar Rapids, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cedar Rapids’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 63% of tested students were proficient in reading and 54% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Cedar Rapids spends $14,892 per student and College $13,528, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Empowering Excellence Charter School, Xavier High School (private), Lasalle Catholic Middle School (private), St. Pius X Elementary School (private), Regis Middle School (private), St. Matthew School (private), Cedar Valley Christian School (private), Lasalle Catholic Elementary School (private), All Saints Catholic School (private), Summit Schools (private), Cedar Valley Montessori School (private) and Montessori School of Marion (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cedar Rapids’s grade
D: better than 12% of Iowa school districts, #114 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cedar Rapids, with each school’s own grade.
Cedar Rapids runs its own schools through grade 12 (Cedar Rapids Community School District). From grade PK, students attend the College Community School District, shared with Ely, Fairfax, Shueyville, Swisher and Walford. Parts of Cedar Rapids (6% of its land) are served by Linn-Mar instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Cedar Rapids
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Cedar Rapids vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Cedar Rapids’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | D | Cedar Rapids PK–12 · College PK–12 |
| Marion | B+ | Linn-Mar PK–12 · Marion Independent PK–12 |
| Hiawatha | D | Cedar Rapids |
| Robins | D | Cedar Rapids PK–12 · Alburnett PK–12 |
| Fairfax | C | College |
| Bertram | — | Cedar Rapids PK–12 · Mount Vernon PK–12 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Cedar Rapids with Cedar Rapids for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Cedar Rapids
53 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (OEN - Cedar Rapids Prep).
Questions about Cedar Rapids’s schools
Are Cedar Rapids’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cedar Rapids children attend score below 88% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #114 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cedar Rapids in?
Two districts: Cedar Rapids Community School District runs grades PK–12, and College Community School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Ely, Fairfax, Shueyville, Swisher and Walford.
Where do Cedar Rapids kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Prairie High School, John F Kennedy High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, George Washington High School, City View High and Prairie Crossing.
What is Cedar Rapids’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Cedar Rapids Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Cedar Rapids spend per student?
$14,892 in Cedar Rapids Community School District and $13,528 in College Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cedar Rapids?
Yes: Xavier High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 593 students), Lasalle Catholic Middle School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 375 students), St. Pius X Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–5, 358 students), Regis Middle School (Catholic, grades 6–8, 317 students), St. Matthew School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 299 students), Cedar Valley Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 229 students), Lasalle Catholic Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–4, 224 students), All Saints Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 151 students), Summit Schools (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 119 students), Cedar Valley Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 115 students) and Montessori School of Marion (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 46 students). Cedar Rapids also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Cedar Rapids families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cedar Rapids → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.