For the 2025 school year, there are 63 public schools serving 31,135 students in Des Moines, IA (there are 14 private schools, serving 3,390 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Des Moines, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Des Moines, IA are Downtown School, Delaware Elementary School and Hanawalt Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Des Moines, IA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Downtown School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
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
| 235 students
Rank: #22.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Grades: PK-5
| 423 students
Rank: #33.
Hanawalt Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
225 56th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8411
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8411
Grades: K-5
| 317 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Cornell Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | 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
Grades: PK-4
| 560 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
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
| 306 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Windsor Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5912 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8440
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8440
Grades: K-5
| 267 students
Rank: #77.
Merrill Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5301 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Grades: 6-8
| 651 students
Rank: #88.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Grades: PK-5
| 307 students
Rank: #99.
Hubbell Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 68%)
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
| 383 students
Rank: #1010.
Perkins Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4301 College
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8430
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8430
Grades: K-5
| 444 students
Rank: #1111.
Roosevelt High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4419 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Grades: 9-12
| 2,039 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Findley Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3025 Oxford Street
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8407
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8407
Grades: K-5
| 284 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Samuelson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3929 Bel-aire Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8441
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8441
Grades: K-5
| 384 students
Rank: #1414.
Phillips Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
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
| 254 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 40-44% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 244 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Willard Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
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
| 282 students
Rank: #1717.
Virtual Campus
(Math: 39% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Grades: 9-12
| 387 students
Rank: #1818.
Woodside Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5810 Ne 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Grades: 5-8
| 376 students
Rank: #1919.
Hoover High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4800 Aurora Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Grades: 9-12
| 923 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Cattell Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
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
| 308 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Moore Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3725 52nd St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8426
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8426
Grades: K-5
| 298 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Hillis Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
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
| 291 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Howe Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
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
| 303 students
Rank: #2424.
Callanan Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3010 Center Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Rank: #2525.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
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
| 244 students
Rank: #2626.
Brody Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Grades: 6-8
| 598 students
Rank: #2727.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 495 students
Rank: #2828.
Morris Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 45%)
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
| 498 students
Rank: #2929.
Garton Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 38%)
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
| 429 students
Rank: #3030.
Studebaker Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 E County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8436
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8436
Grades: K-5
| 553 students
Rank: #3131.
Lincoln High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,441 students
Rank: #3232.
Mccombs Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
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
| 644 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Hoyt Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2700 E 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Grades: 6-8
| 486 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Park Ave Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
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
| 408 students
Rank: #3535.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 450 students
Show 28 more public schools in Des Moines, IA (out of 63 total schools)
Loading...
Des Moines, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Grades: 6-12
| 25 students
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Grades: PK
| 99 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
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
Grades: 7-9
| 117 students
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 15 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: K-5
| 10 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: 6-8
| 21 students
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
1001 Amos Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Grades: PK
| n/a students
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Grades: 4-5
| 198 students
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-5
| 11 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 66 students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 135 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
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
Grades: PK-8
| 94 students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 18 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Des Moines, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Des Moines, IA include Downtown School, Delaware Elementary School and Hanawalt Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Des Moines?
63 public schools are located in Des Moines.
What percentage of students in Des Moines go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Des Moines are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines?
Des Moines public schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Des Moines include: Mitchell Early Childhood Center vs. Mckee Elementary School, Callanan Middle School vs. Merrill Middle School, Merrill Middle School vs. Callanan Middle School
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
