Top Rankings
Des Moines Independent Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024 school year, there are 59 public schools serving 30,811 students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 68% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
2021-2022 School Year Data
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
59 Schools
1,326 Schools
# Students
30,811 Students
504,006 Students
# Teachers
1,982 Teachers
35,084 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
District Rank
Des Moines Independent Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 327 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has decreased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#327 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
68%
Graduation Rate
75%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.75
0.45
# American Indian Students
135 Students
1,945 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
2,529 Students
12,630 Students
% Asian Students
8%
3%
# Hispanic Students
9,097 Students
60,805 Students
% Hispanic Students
30%
12%
# Black Students
6,449 Students
33,290 Students
% Black Students
21%
7%
# White Students
10,450 Students
369,175 Students
% White Students
34%
73%
# Hawaiian Students
46 Students
2,364 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
2,105 Students
23,738 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
1,333
22,680
# Students in K Grade:
2,366
38,679
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,173
35,185
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,281
35,507
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,194
35,271
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,160
34,910
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,184
35,083
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,058
36,361
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,184
37,347
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,271
38,760
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,361
40,176
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,345
38,936
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,215
37,654
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,686
37,457
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,161 is higher than the state median of $16,392. The school district revenue/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,664 is higher than the state median of $15,968. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$590 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$513 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,161
$16,392
Spending / Student
$16,664
$15,968
Best Des Moines Independent Comm School District Public Schools (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cowles Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Grades: PK-8
| 380 students
Rank: #22.
Downtown School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 284-5848
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 284-5848
Grades: K-5
| 240 students
Rank: #33.
Roosevelt High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4419 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Grades: 9-12
| 2,064 students
Rank: #44.
Perkins Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4301 College
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8430
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8430
Grades: K-5
| 386 students
Rank: #55.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2425 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8416
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8416
Grades: K-5
| 338 students
Rank: #66.
Hubbell Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 415 students
Rank: #77.
Merrill Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5301 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Grades: 6-8
| 669 students
Rank: #88.
Virtual Campus
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Grades: 6-12
| 935 students
Rank: #99.
Hanawalt Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
225 56th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8411
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8411
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Grades: K-5
| 220 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Windsor Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5912 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8440
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8440
Grades: K-5
| 285 students
Rank: #1212.
Phillips Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Lay St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8431
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8431
Grades: K-5
| 263 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Moore Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3725 52nd St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8426
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8426
Grades: K-5
| 308 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Willard Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2941 Dean Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8439
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8439
Grades: K-5
| 262 students
Rank: #1515.
Lincoln High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,362 students
Rank: #1616.
Samuelson Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3929 Bel-aire Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8441
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8441
Grades: K-5
| 418 students
Rank: #1717.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
901 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Grades: PK-5
| 268 students
Rank: #1818.
Hoover High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4800 Aurora Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Grades: 9-12
| 959 students
Rank: #1919.
Brody Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Grades: 6-8
| 603 students
Rank: #2020.
Callanan Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3010 Center Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Grades: 6-8
| 534 students
Rank: #2121.
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4801 E Oakwood Dr
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 242-8432
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 242-8432
Grades: K-5
| 215 students
Rank: #2222.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5001 Sw 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8442
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8442
Grades: K-5
| 261 students
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Findley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3025 Oxford Street
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8407
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8407
Grades: K-5
| 311 students
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Hillis Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2401 56th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8412
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8412
Grades: K-5
| 292 students
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Howe Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2900 Indianola
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8413
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8413
Grades: K-5
| 306 students
Rank: #23 - 2623. - 26.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Grades: K-5
| 386 students
Rank: #2727.
East High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
815 E 13th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7788
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7788
Grades: 9-12
| 2,079 students
Rank: #2828.
Garton Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2820 E 24th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Grades: K-5
| 474 students
Rank: #2929.
River Woods Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2929 Se 22nd St
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8433
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8433
Grades: K-5
| 518 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Cattell Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3101 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8403
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8403
Grades: K-5
| 367 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Park Ave Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3141 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8429
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8429
Grades: K-5
| 390 students
Rank: #3232.
Morris Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1401 Geil Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8421
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8421
Grades: K-5
| 448 students
Rank: #3333.
Weeks Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
901 East Park Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8449
Grades: 6-8
| 685 students
Rank: #3434.
Goodrell Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3300 E. 29th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8444
Grades: 6-8
| 512 students
Rank: #3535.
North High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 Holcomb Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-7200
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-7200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,433 students
Show 24 more public schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District (out of 59 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District manages 59 public schools serving 30,811 students.
What is the rank of Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District is ranked #326 out of 327 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2020-2021 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
34% of Des Moines Independent Comm School District students are White, 30% of students are Hispanic, 21% of students are Black, 8% of students are Asian, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is Des Moines Independent Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,664 is higher than the state median of $15,968. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
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