Top Rankings
Southeast Polk Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 7,424 students in Southeast Polk Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in Southeast Polk Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,320 Schools
# Students
7,424 Students
501,674 Students
# Teachers
474 Teachers
34,800 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Southeast Polk Comm School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#114 out of 327 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
63%
Graduation Rate
95%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
3%
% Hispanic
11%
13%
% Black
8%
7%
% White
72%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,595 in this school district is less than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,124 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$108 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$97 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,595
$16,468
Spending / Student
$13,124
$16,042
Best Southeast Polk Comm School District Public Schools (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.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Southeast Polk Junior High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8325 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5509
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5509
Gr: 7-8 | 1,106 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #99.
Spring Creek - 6th Grade
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8031 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5533
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5533
Gr: 6 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1010.
Southeast Polk High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7945 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-6631
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-6631
Gr: 9-12 | 2,294 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1111.
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Southeast Polk Comm School District?
Southeast Polk Comm School District manages 11 public schools serving 7,424 students.
What is the rank of Southeast Polk Comm School District?
Southeast Polk Comm School District is ranked #117 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Southeast Polk Comm School District?
72% of Southeast Polk Comm School District students are White, 11% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Southeast Polk Comm School District?
Southeast Polk Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is Southeast Polk Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,124 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
