For the 2025 school year, there are 38 public preschools serving 17,287 students in Polk County, IA.
The top ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA are Mitchellville Elementary School, Henry A Wallace Elementary School and Webster Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 73%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 69% statewide average). Pre schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Polk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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%
Rank: #1515.
Four Mile Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
670 Se 68th St
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 265-1972
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 265-1972
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1616.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
807 23rd St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
Gr: PK-6 | 545 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1717.
Willowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 17th Ave Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-7512
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-7512
Gr: PK-5 | 546 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1818.
Cornell Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5817 Ne 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 244-8173
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 244-8173
Gr: PK-4 | 560 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1919.
Olmsted Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7110 Prairie Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Gr: PK-5 | 641 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2020.
Clive Learning Academy
(Math: 69% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1600 73rd Street
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Gr: PK-6 | 512 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2121.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Gr: PK-5 | 307 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2222.
Western Hills Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
600 39th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
Gr: PK-6 | 560 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2323.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
713 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
Gr: PK-6 | 581 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2424.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
901 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2525.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Gr: PK-6 | 549 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2626.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Gr: PK-5 | 495 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2727.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Gr: PK-5 | 269 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2828.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1541 8th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2929.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Gr: PK-5 | 545 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #3030.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
705 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Gr: PK-5 | 419 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Gr: PK | 194 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
3350 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
Gr: PK | 23 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: n/an/a
2115 E 39th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Gr: PK | 263 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: n/an/a
111 Porter
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Gr: PK | 340 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: n/an/a
600 Garfield St. Sw
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 967-6361
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 967-6361
Gr: PK-2 | 605 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Show 3 more public schools in Polk County, IA (out of 38 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 preschools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA include Mitchellville Elementary School, Henry A Wallace Elementary School and Webster Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Polk County?
38 public preschools are located in Polk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public preschools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Polk County include: Mitchell Early Childhood Center vs. Mckee Elementary School, Willowbrook Elementary School vs. Altoona Elementary School, Centennial Elementary School vs. Altoona Elementary School
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