Top Rankings
Des Moines Independent Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024-25 school year, there are 50 public elementary schools serving 20,264 students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 66%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public elementary school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
59 Schools
946 Schools
# Students
30,278 Students
324,643 Students
# Teachers
1,924 Teachers
23,354 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
District Rank
Des Moines Independent Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 327 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 76% has decreased from 82% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#327 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
63%
Graduation Rate
76%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.75
0.46
# American Indian Students
141 Students
1,335 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
2,443 Students
7,906 Students
% Asian Students
8%
3%
# Hispanic Students
9,202 Students
39,865 Students
% Hispanic Students
30%
12%
# Black Students
6,337 Students
22,067 Students
% Black Students
21%
7%
# White Students
9,975 Students
234,780 Students
% White Students
33%
72%
# Hawaiian Students
61 Students
2,007 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
2,105 Students
16,618 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
1,301
17,689
# Students in K Grade:
2,327
36,206
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,317
35,654
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,136
35,488
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,268
35,962
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,143
35,603
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,114
35,274
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,070
35,449
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,001
25,706
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,147
23,739
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,293
1,956
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,388
1,967
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,271
1,986
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,502
1,964
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,498 is higher than the state median of $16,361. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,958 is higher than the state median of $15,938. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$590 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$513 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,498
$16,361
Spending / Student
$16,958
$15,938
Best Des Moines Independent Comm School District Public Elementary Schools (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cowles Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Grades: PK-8
| 391 students
Rank: #22.
Downtown School
Magnet 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
| 243 students
Rank: #33.
Hanawalt Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 333 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Jefferson Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 338 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Windsor Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 296 students
Rank: #66.
Merrill Middle School
Magnet 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
| 634 students
Rank: #77.
Greenwood Elementary School
Magnet 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: K-5
| 272 students
Rank: #88.
Hubbell Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 407 students
Rank: #99.
Perkins Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 438 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Findley Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 304 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Samuelson Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 412 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Phillips Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 258 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4801 E Oakwood Dr
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 242-8432
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 242-8432
Grades: K-5
| 213 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Walnut Street School
Magnet 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
| 269 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Willard Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 286 students
Rank: #1616.
Virtual Campus
Magnet School
(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: 6-12
| 668 students
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Cattell Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 322 students
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Moore Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 296 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Hillis Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 305 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Howe Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 297 students
Rank: #2121.
Callanan Middle School
Magnet 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
| 507 students
Rank: #2222.
Wright Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 273 students
Rank: #2323.
Brody Middle School
Magnet 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
| 603 students
Rank: #2424.
Jackson Elementary School
Magnet 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: K-5
| 406 students
Rank: #2525.
Morris Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 444 students
Rank: #2626.
Garton Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 455 students
Rank: #2727.
Studebaker Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 523 students
Rank: #2828.
Mccombs Middle School
Magnet 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
| 654 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Hoyt Middle School
Magnet 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: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Park Ave Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 378 students
Rank: #3131.
Moulton Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 420 students
Rank: #3232.
Brubaker Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2900 E 42nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8405
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8405
Grades: K-5
| 622 students
Rank: #3333.
River Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2929 Se 22nd St
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8433
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8433
Grades: K-5
| 496 students
Rank: #3434.
Meredith Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4827 Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Grades: 6-8
| 664 students
Rank: #3535.
Mckinley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | 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
Grades: PK-5
| 285 students
Show 15 more public schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District (out of 50 total schools)
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