| Metric | Cedar Rapids Community School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 17,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 33 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ↓ 27% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids Community School District (this district) | 1/10 | 10th | 17,000 |
| Iowa City Community School District | 5/10 | 45th | 13,000 |
| Forest City Community School District | 9/10 | 81st | 1,141 |
| West Fork Community School District | 3/10 | 21st | 776 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 320 rated districts in IA → 10th percentile → 1/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Cedar Rapids Community School District
Families in zip code 52402 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) are assigned to Cedar Rapids Community School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Cedar Rapids Community School District spent $13,580 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 36% above Iowa’s statewide $10,000 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,189 students, an estimated 91% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
Cedar Rapids Community School District is a very large district with 33 schools serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 17,000 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Cedar Rapids Community School District 3 out of 10 — below average among Iowa public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Iowa is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Cedar Rapids Community School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Iowa benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 52402
Children in zip code 52402 are assigned to Cedar Rapids Community School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 52402, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Cedar Rapids Community School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Iowa districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cedar Rapids
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Cedar Rapids Community School District serves zip code 52402, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 52402. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Iowa, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Cedar Rapids Community School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 52402.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cedar Rapids Community School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 52402 data.