Valerius Elementary School

Valerius Elementary School is a public K-5 school in Urbandale, Iowa, serving 277 students. Despite being part of the Urbandale Community School District, which is ranked 187 out of 311 districts in the state, Valerius stands out as a high-performing school, consistently ranking among the top 25% of Iowa elementary schools.

Valerius' academic excellence is particularly noteworthy given its increasing diversity and growing percentage of economically disadvantaged students. The school outperforms the Urbandale district and the state of Iowa on standardized tests, with 75-84% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 72-88% proficient or better in Mathematics. This is in contrast to the nearby Des Moines Independent Community School District, which generally has lower academic performance and higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students. The high-performing Timber Ridge Elementary in the Johnston Community School District, located just 1.5 miles from Valerius, provides a useful comparison point for the level of academic achievement that can be attained in the local area.

Valerius' diverse student population, with a higher percentage of African American, Hispanic, and Asian students compared to other Urbandale elementary schools, is another key factor that sets it apart. Over the past three years, the school has seen an increase in the percentage of non-White students, from 27.43% in 2020-2021 to 32.85% in 2022-2023. Additionally, Valerius has experienced a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 8.68% in 2020-2021 to 35.74% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the other Urbandale elementary schools. The school's ability to maintain strong academic outcomes while serving an increasingly diverse and economically disadvantaged student population is a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of its teachers and administrators.