The Iowa Department of Education has released its 2024-25 Iowa School Performance Profile scores – these profiles are a measure of schools across the state based on several data sources. We look forward to sharing our district’s scores, celebrating our success, and providing additional information about how DCG CSD will use this data moving forward.
Understanding the Iowa School Performance Profile Rating System
The Iowa School Performance Profile uses six rating categories as listed below:
- Exceptional
- High Performing
- Commendable
- Acceptable
- Needs Improvement
- Priority
The Iowa Department of Education builds its rating on core indicators such as state assessment results (ISASP), chronic absenteeism, and for high school (grades 9-12), graduation rates and postsecondary readiness.
DCG CSD Performance Profile Highlights – 2025
- Dallas Center-Grimes CSD is one of only 23 districts in Iowa to have a school receive an “exceptional” designation.
- Dallas Center-Grimes CSD placed four schools in the top two categories – “exceptional” and “high performing” – representing the top 20% of scores in the state.
- As a district, our rating improved by a combined 90.2 points.
Understanding Key Performance Areas
- Graduation Rate – DCG’s score is 9% above the state average.
- Proficiency in Math – DCG’s score is 11% above the state average.
- Proficiency in English Language Arts – DCG’s score is 12% above the state average.
- Proficiency in Science – DCG’s score is 14% above the state average.
- Post-secondary Readiness (college credit) – DCG’s score is 21% above the state average.
- Chronic Absenteeism – DCG’s score is below the state average by 2.8%.
Additional Factors in Performance Profile Designations
There are additional layers to the performance profile designations that can reflect performance gaps among specific student groups. (English Language learners, students with disabilities, students from racial/ethnic minority groups, etc.). These indicators are scored on a building-by-building basis. When a target destination is given for a student group, the school is automatically dropped one full category. Many schools in Iowa received a targeted designation, including one at DCG (Oak View will continue into year two with a targeted designation). Our district remains committed to analyzing the data of these designations and identifying areas of growth moving forward.
Takeaways from Performance Profile Results
Everyone at DCG should celebrate this news! There are several key performance indicators that put our district on an elite level, among the best in the state! We will ride this momentum throughout the 2025-26 school year, allowing our students to create an incredible future.
It’s important to note that an overall school rating does not provide contextual information about a school. They do not measure the passion and dedication that our educators bring to the building every day. Spend a moment in one of our buildings, and you will feel an “only at DCG” energy – fueled by dedicated educators and hard-working students.
This data will provide our team with essential information, which is crucial to the continual growth mindset that we pride ourselves on. We will use this data to have important conversations between educators, administrators and parents about the work that is currently underway in our schools to support all students in achieving their full potential.
Additional information regarding the Iowa School Performance Profiles can be found at this link. This is a proud moment at Dallas Center-Grimes. We promise to build on this success and set our goals even higher. Big things are happening at DCG!
