Chain Lakes Bridge · Photo: Jim Roberts · CC BY-SA 4.0Palo’s public schools score below 94% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
51% of students in Palo’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Palo, 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 95% 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.
Palo’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 61% of tested students were proficient in reading and 51% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95% 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
The district spends $14,892 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
19 elementary schools, then six middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Palo’s grade
D: better than 6% of Iowa school districts. 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 Palo, with each school’s own grade.
12th grade in Palo · depends on your address
John F Kennedy High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,648 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Cedar Rapids
Thomas Jefferson High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,501 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Cedar Rapids
George Washington High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,182 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Cedar Rapids
Palo’s public schools are run by Cedar Rapids Community School District, which also serves Bertram, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Robins. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
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
Palo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Palo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Palo | D | Cedar Rapids |
Every school in Palo
29 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).
Questions about Palo’s schools
Are Palo’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Palo children attend score below 94% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Palo in?
Cedar Rapids Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 15,003 students in 31 schools (2024–25).
Where do Palo kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: John F Kennedy High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, George Washington High School and City View High.
What is Palo’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 Palo spend per student?
$14,892 in Cedar Rapids Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Palo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Palo → 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.