Cedar Rapids Community School District

The Cedar Rapids Community School District operates 32 schools, including 21 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 4 high schools, serving students across a range of performance levels. While some standout schools like Viola Gibson Elementary School and Maple Grove Elementary consistently rank among the top in the state, several schools struggle to meet academic standards, including Metro High School and Johnson STEAM Academy School.

The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the district, with some schools boasting over 80% proficiency in core subjects, while others have less than 50% of students meeting or exceeding standards. Factors like socioeconomic status, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, appear to play a role, with higher-poverty schools generally underperforming. However, the relationship between per-student spending and outcomes is not clear, suggesting that simply increasing funding may not be enough to drive improvements.

Overall, the Cedar Rapids Community School District faces both pockets of excellence and significant challenges in ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students. Identifying and replicating the strategies used by the highest-performing schools, while also addressing the systemic factors impacting the lowest-performing schools, will be crucial for the district's continued growth and development.