For the 2025 school year, there are 110 public elementary schools serving 53,230 students in Polk County, IA.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Polk County, IA are North Ridge Elementary School, Shuler Elementary School and Prairie Trail Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 69% statewide average). Elementary schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Polk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
400 Nw 27th St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Gr: K-4 | 423 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Shuler Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
16400 Douglas Parkway
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Gr: K-5 | 640 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Gr: K-5 | 542 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #55.
Henry A Wallace Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6207 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Gr: PK-5 | 826 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Gr: K-5 | 631 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
Walnut Hills Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4240 156th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Gr: K-5 | 590 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Gr: PK-5 | 546 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Crocker Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2910 Sw Applewood St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Gr: K-5 | 514 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
North Polk Middle School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
315 Ne 141st Ave.
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Gr: 6-8 | 493 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Ashland Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2600 Nw Ash Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Gr: K-5 | 768 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1212.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Gr: PK-5 | 276 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
North Polk West Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1400 W Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Gr: PK-2 | 416 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1414.
South Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
500 S James St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-4057
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-4057
Gr: K-4 | 455 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1515.
Brookview Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8000 E.p. True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
Gr: K-5 | 642 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1616.
North Polk Central Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
311 Ne 141st Ave
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 379 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1717.
Radiant Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5050 170th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-5161
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-5161
Gr: K-5 | 789 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
910 7th Ave Se
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Gr: PK-5 | 409 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Ne Beaverbrooke Blvd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Gr: PK-4 | 567 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2020.
Parkview Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
105 Nw Pleasant St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Gr: 6-7 | 875 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2121.
Dallas Center-grimes Middle School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1400 Vine Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Gr: 5-6 | 537 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2222.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1455 98th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
Gr: K-5 | 439 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2323.
Prairie Ridge Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1010 Nw Prairie Ridge Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Gr: 6-7 | 1,008 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2424.
Beaver Creek Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8701 Lyndhurst
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Gr: K-5 | 564 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2525.
Timber Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7370 Nw 54th Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 331-4379
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 331-4379
Gr: K-5 | 663 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2626.
Rock Creek Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3800 Nw Abilene Rd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Gr: K-5 | 733 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2727.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Gr: 6-7 | 1,135 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #3030.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2920 Nw 9th St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Gr: K-5 | 615 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #3131.
Westridge Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5500 E P True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
Gr: PK-6 | 775 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3232.
Woodland Hills Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1120 South 95th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5196
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5196
Gr: K-5 | 569 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3333.
Clay Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3200 First Avenue S.
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Gr: PK-5 | 670 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3434.
Jordan Creek Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4105 Fuller Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
Gr: PK-6 | 646 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3535.
Cowles Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Gr: PK-8 | 403 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Show 75 more public schools in Polk County, IA (out of 110 total schools)
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Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Gr: 6-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 32%
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Gr: PK | 99 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Gr: K-6 | 259 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Gr: 9-12 | 458 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 7-12 | 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 6-8
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Gr: 7-9 | 117 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Gr: PK-K | 15 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Gr: K-5 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 70%
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Gr: 6-8 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 53%
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 6-12 | 118 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Gr: PK-5 | 547 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Gr: 9-12 | 57 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Gr: K-5 | 309 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
3500 74th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 296 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Gr: PK-5 | 207 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Gr: 9-12 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 6%
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Gr: 4-5 | 198 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Gr: K-5 | 11 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Orchard Place School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Gr: K-12 | 66 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Gr: PK-3 | 180 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Gr: 6-12 | 135 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Gr: 9-12
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Gr: PK-8 | 94 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Gr: K-5 | 277 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Gr: PK-5 | 368 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Gr: 6-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 10%
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Gr: PK-K | 18 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Polk County, IA include North Ridge Elementary School, Shuler Elementary School and Prairie Trail Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Polk County?
110 public elementary schools are located in Polk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public elementary schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Polk County include: Prairie Ridge Middle School vs. Parkview Middle School, Parkview Middle School vs. Prairie Ridge Middle School, Greenwood Elementary School vs. Downtown School
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