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 2025 school year, there are 59 public schools serving 29,871 students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District 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).
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
59 Schools
1,320 Schools
# Students
29,871 Students
501,674 Students
# Teachers
1,899 Teachers
34,800 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 325 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
0.47
# American Indian Students
132 Students
1,876 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
2,333 Students
12,487 Students
% Asian Students
8%
3%
# Hispanic Students
9,313 Students
65,144 Students
% Hispanic Students
31%
13%
# Black Students
6,410 Students
35,173 Students
% Black Students
22%
7%
# White Students
9,505 Students
358,105 Students
% White Students
32%
71%
# Hawaiian Students
68 Students
3,371 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
2,075 Students
25,133 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
1,358
23,213
# Students in K Grade:
2,136
36,488
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,303
34,545
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,265
35,477
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,087
35,334
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,226
35,902
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,152
35,813
# Students in 6th Grade:
1,963
35,551
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,033
36,022
# Students in 8th Grade:
1,957
37,018
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,185
39,092
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,330
39,818
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,339
38,859
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,537
38,542
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,764 is higher 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 $17,189 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$590 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$513 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,764
$16,468
Spending / Student
$17,189
$16,042
Best Des Moines Independent Comm School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cowles Elementary 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
| 403 students
Rank: #22.
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: #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 - 54. - 5.
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 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #11 - 1211. - 12.
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: #11 - 1211. - 12.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
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: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Pleasant Hill Elementary 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
| 211 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.
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: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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: #19 - 2019. - 20.
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: #21 - 2221. - 22.
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: #21 - 2221. - 22.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
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: #3030.
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: #3131.
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: #32 - 3332. - 33.
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: #32 - 3332. - 33.
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: #3434.
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
Rank: #3535.
Brubaker Elementary 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
| 618 students
Show 24 more public schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District (out of 59 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District manages 59 public schools serving 29,871 students.
What is the rank of Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District is ranked #325 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
32% of Des Moines Independent Comm School District students are White, 31% of students are Hispanic, 22% of students are Black, 8% of students are Asian, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is Des Moines Independent Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $17,189 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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