Southeast Polk Comm School District

407 8th Street Se
Altoona, IA 50009
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
7/
10
Top 50%

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 2026-27 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 6,891 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 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,322 Schools
# Students
6,891 Students
497,791 Students
# Teachers
492 Teachers
35,023 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

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.
This School District
State Average (IA)
#114 out of 327 school districts
(Top 50%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

75%
68%

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

75%
70%

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

64%
63%
95%
87.5%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(2022-23)
25.2%
24.7%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.50
0.48

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
3%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
11%
14%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
10%
7%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓

% White
69%
70%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
7%
5%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $17,865 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,179. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,478 is higher than the state median of $18,122. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
This School District
This State (IA)
Total Revenue
$123 MM
$9,049 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending
$148 MM
$9,021 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Revenue / Student
$17,865
$18,179

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending / Student
$21,478
$18,122

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Best Southeast Polk Comm School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
910 7th Ave Se
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #66.
Clay Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3200 First Avenue S.
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Gr: PK-5 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Four Mile Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
670 Se 68th St
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 265-1972
Gr: PK-5 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #88.
Southeast Polk Junior High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8325 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5509
Gr: 7-8 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
Rank: #99.
Southeast Polk Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
501 Falcon Drive
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-5533
Gr: 6-7 | 1,112 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Southeast Polk High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
7945 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-6631
Gr: 10-12 | 1,722 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1111.
Willowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
300 17th Ave Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-7512
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Southeast Polk Comm School District?
Southeast Polk Comm School District manages 11 public schools serving 6,891 students.
What is the rank of Southeast Polk Comm School District?
Southeast Polk Comm School District is ranked #118 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?
69% of Southeast Polk Comm School District students are White, 11% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Black, 7% 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 14:1, which is equal to 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 $21,478 is higher than the state median of $18,122. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • District size: 11 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 6,891 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 31%
  • : 95% (Top 5% in IA)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 75% (Top 50%)
  • : 75% (Top 50%)
  • : 64% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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