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 50 public elementary schools serving 20,777 students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 65% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public elementary school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
2021-2022 School Year Data
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
59 Schools
944 Schools
# Students
30,811 Students
325,837 Students
# Teachers
1,982 Teachers
23,427 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
1,403 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
2,529 Students
8,024 Students
% Asian Students
8%
2%
# Hispanic Students
9,097 Students
38,802 Students
% Hispanic Students
30%
12%
# Black Students
6,449 Students
21,774 Students
% Black Students
21%
7%
# White Students
10,450 Students
238,129 Students
% White Students
34%
73%
# Hawaiian Students
46 Students
1,678 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
2,105 Students
16,016 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
1,333
17,617
# Students in K Grade:
2,366
37,395
# 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
26,308
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,271
24,837
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,361
1,864
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,345
1,895
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,215
1,848
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,686
1,756
# 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 Elementary 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #1111.
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: #12 - 1312. - 13.
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: #12 - 1312. - 13.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #20 - 2320. - 23.
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: #20 - 2320. - 23.
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: #20 - 2320. - 23.
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: #20 - 2320. - 23.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #26 - 2726. - 27.
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: #26 - 2726. - 27.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
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: #3030.
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: #3131.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Grades: PK-5
| 533 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Brubaker Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2900 E 42nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8405
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8405
Grades: K-5
| 652 students
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Grades: PK-5
| 269 students
Rank: #3434.
Meredith Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4827 Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Grades: 6-8
| 675 students
Rank: #3535.
Mccombs Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Sw County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Grades: 6-8
| 684 students
Show 15 more public schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District (out of 50 total schools)
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