For the 2024-25 school year, there are 10 public preschools serving 3,540 students in Des Moines, IA.
The top ranked public preschools in Des Moines, IA are Delaware Elementary School, Cornell Elementary School and Walnut Street School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 69% statewide average). Pre schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 26% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Des Moines, IA (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Delaware Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 398 students
Rank: #22.
Cornell Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 527 students
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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
Rank: #66.
Capitol View Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Grades: PK-5
| 505 students
Rank: n/an/a
Jessie Franklin Taylor
Magnet School
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Grades: PK
| 205 students
Rank: n/an/a
Mckee Elementary School
Magnet School
2115 E 39th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Grades: PK
| 281 students
Rank: n/an/a
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
Magnet School
111 Porter
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Grades: PK
| 395 students
Rank: n/an/a
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
Magnet School
4000 Lower Beaver Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8213
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8213
Grades: PK
| 255 students
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 preschools in Des Moines, IA?
The top ranked public preschools in Des Moines, IA include Delaware Elementary School, Cornell Elementary School and Walnut Street School.
How many public preschools are located in Des Moines?
10 public preschools are located in Des Moines.
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines?
Des Moines public preschools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschools average of 26% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Des Moines include: Mitchell Early Childhood Center vs. Mckee Elementary School, Mckee Elementary School vs. Mitchell Early Childhood Center, Mckee Elementary School vs. Mckinley Elementary School
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