Here’s how Cedar Rapids, Iowa City schools performed on the Iowa School Report Card

Twelve schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District improved their rating on the Iowa School Report Card by one to three categories.

Growth and proficiency improved in English language arts, math and science; college credit attainment rose by 5 percent; participation in work-based learning opportunities increased by 29 percent; and the four-year graduation rate increased by 1.5 percent.

“In the last year, our schools have shifted schedules, adjusted resources and implemented new curriculum to better meet the needs of our students,” Superintendent Tawana Grover said in a news release Thursday. “The (school board) set forth a strategic plan and clear priorities that help us best serve and support our schools. The data shows the impact of these changes and that slow and steady progress is possible when we come together as a community. I see the dedication and heart that every member of our district brings to this work, and I could not be prouder.”

Ratings for four schools in the Cedar Rapids district declined by one category: Grant, Hoover, Maple Grove and West Willow elementary schools.

There are six categories in Iowa performance ratings. Highest to lowest, the categories are exceptional, high performing, commendable, acceptable, needs improvement, and priority.

Pierce Elementary is one of the schools that moved up by two performance levels in a single year from “Needs Improvement” to “Commendable.”

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, the trust and support of our families, and the ongoing commitment of our district. Together, we continue to focus on providing high-quality learning for every child,” Pierce Elementary Principal Kathleen Ziegler said in a news release Thursday.

All schools are assessed on core areas including proficiency in English language arts, mathematics, science, student academic growth and chronic absenteeism. Two additional measures were added to high school ratings last year: graduation rates and a postsecondary readiness indicator measuring college credit, work-based learning experiences and industry-recognized credentials attained by high schoolers.

City View Community High School — which is in its third year — moved up by three performance levels from “Priority” to “Commendable.”

Students at City View can opt in regardless of where they live within the Cedar Rapids district. The school has about 60 students enrolled this year. Other Cedar Rapids high schools have between 1,300 and 1,700 students each.

At City View, students engage in competency-based learning, a teaching method that can create more personalized learning experiences with students demonstrating their mastery of a subject through evaluations.

Last fall, the school began to offer internship opportunities to students.

Cedar Rapids schools report card

Across the district, this is how Cedar Rapids schools performed — improving on the following core indicators — compared with the statewide average:

Two schools in the district — Madison and Viola Gibson elementary schools — are listed as “High Performing,” four are listed as “Commendable,” seven are listed as “Acceptable,” eight are listed as “Needs Improvement,” and nine are listed as “Priority.”

There are 30 schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

Iowa City schools report card

In the Iowa City Community School District, 13 schools improved their rating on the Iowa School Report Card by one to two categories, and six schools’ ratings declined by one to two categories.

Across the district, this is how Iowa City schools performed compared with the statewide average:

One school in the district — Lincoln Elementary School — is listed as “High Performing,” nine are listed as “Commendable,” nine are listed as “Acceptable,” five are listed as “Needs Improvement,” and three are listed as “Priority.”

A factor impacting the district’s scores this year is a change in fall 2024 from junior highs serving seventh- and eighth-graders, to middle schools serving sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

There are 27 schools in the Iowa City Community School District.

A glance across Iowa

Nearly 56 percent of schools in Iowa performed in the top three rating categories, up 10 percentage points compared to 46 percent of schools last year, according to the Iowa Department of Education.

Of 1,276 total schools, 528 schools moved up one or more rating categories.

“With our teachers, school leaders, and families working together to accelerate student learning, Iowa’s School Performance Profiles show impressive gains overall and among schools identified in need of support,” Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said in a news release Thursday. “Iowa’s continued commitment to evidence-based practices, instructional leadership and accountability is imperative, and we celebrate the hard work that led to these remarkable gains in early literacy and science proficiency, work-based learning attainment and attendance.”

Designated last year for a three-year cycle, 35 schools are in need of comprehensive support and improvement, representing the lowest performing 5 percent of all Title I public schools.

In 2024-25, the Iowa Department of Education provided more than 6,000 hours of school-based expert leadership support and classroom coaching and modeling in Iowa’s 35 comprehensive support and improvement schools.

Thirty-two of those schools increased their overall scores from last year, up an average of 5.4 percentage points, and eight comprehensive support and improvement schools increased more than 10 percentage points following their implementation of evidence-based instructional practices.

Targeted support and improvement schools are identified based on the achievement gaps experienced by a student group.

This year, 136 of 377 targeted support and improvement schools identified in 2024 were able to exit the status by ensuring all students are supported in meeting high expectations.

Ninety-nine targeted support and improvement schools were newly identified in 2025. Two hundred and thirty three schools identified in 2024 did not exit status in 2025.

The number of targeted support and improvement schools dropped by 39 schools, decreasing 10 percent from 377 in 2024 to 338 in 2025.

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