At a glance
Reported students
436
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
32.38
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
13.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–04
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
75th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
530
South Prairie Elementary: 436 reported students.
State peer staffing position
55th percentile
13.5:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 406
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27.7
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.7:1
What the reported data says about South Prairie Elementary
South Prairie Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–04 in Grimes. It is one of 7 current school records connected to Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District. NCES reports 436 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 75th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 13.5:1, close to the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (69.7%) and Black (16.5%). English learners represent 1% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.1%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking South Prairie Elementary
- 1How do the reported 13.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 32.38 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 1%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.1%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 30.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White69.7%
- Hispanic8.3%
- Black16.5%
- Asian0.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
North Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–04
412 reported students
Heritage Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–04
530 reported students
Dallas Center Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–04
169 reported students
DC-G Oak View
Middle · Grades 07–08
537 reported students
Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School
Middle · Grades 05–06
586 reported students
Dallas Center-Grimes High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,073 reported students
Public schools near South Prairie Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Elementary Elementary · Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District | PK–04 | 530 | 1.3 mi |
| North Ridge Elementary Elementary · Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District | KG–04 | 412 | 1.7 mi |
| Waterford Elementary School Elementary · Waukee Comm School District | KG–05 | 464 | 2.4 mi |
| Horizon Elementary Elementary · Johnston Comm School District | KG–05 | 613 | 2.5 mi |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Elementary · Johnston Comm School District | KG–05 | 575 | 3 mi |
| Webster Elementary School Elementary · Urbandale Comm School District | PK–05 | 519 | 3.2 mi |
Frequently asked questions about South Prairie Elementary
What grades does South Prairie Elementary serve?
South Prairie Elementary reports grades KG–04 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District.
How many students attend South Prairie Elementary?
South Prairie Elementary reported 436 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 75th percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 406 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at South Prairie Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 13.5:1, based on 436 students and 32.38 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 13.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is South Prairie Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
South Prairie Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of South Prairie Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
30.3% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is South Prairie Elementary in?
South Prairie Elementary is part of Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District, based in Grimes, IA, which operates 7 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near South Prairie Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Heritage Elementary (1.3 mi), North Ridge Elementary (1.7 mi), Waterford Elementary School (2.4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.