For the 2025 school year, there are 38 public preschools serving 17,287 students in Polk County, IA.
The top ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA are Henry A Wallace Elementary School, Webster Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 69% statewide average). Pre schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Polk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Henry A Wallace Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6207 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Grades: PK-5
| 826 students
Rank: #22.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Grades: PK-5
| 546 students
Rank: #33.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Grades: PK-5
| 244 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
North Polk West Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1400 W Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Grades: PK-2
| 416 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Grades: PK-5
| 276 students
Rank: #66.
North Polk Central Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
311 Ne 141st Ave
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: PK-5
| 379 students
Rank: #77.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Grades: PK-5
| 423 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Ne Beaverbrooke Blvd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grades: PK-4
| 567 students
Rank: #1010.
Clay Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3200 First Avenue S.
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Grades: PK-5
| 670 students
Rank: #1111.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
910 7th Ave Se
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Grades: PK-5
| 409 students
Rank: #1212.
Westridge Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5500 E P True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
Grades: PK-6
| 775 students
Rank: #1313.
Jordan Creek Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4105 Fuller Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
Grades: PK-6
| 646 students
Rank: #1414.
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: #1515.
Four Mile Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
670 Se 68th St
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 265-1972
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 265-1972
Grades: PK-5
| 489 students
Rank: #1616.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
807 23rd St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
Grades: PK-6
| 545 students
Rank: #1717.
Willowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 17th Ave Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-7512
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-7512
Grades: PK-5
| 546 students
Rank: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
713 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
Grades: PK-6
| 581 students
Rank: #2121.
Western Hills Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
600 39th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
Grades: PK-6
| 560 students
Rank: #2222.
Clive Learning Academy
(Math: 61% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1600 73rd Street
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Grades: PK-6
| 512 students
Rank: #2323.
Olmsted Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7110 Prairie Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Grades: PK-5
| 641 students
Rank: #2424.
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: #2525.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
(Math: 50% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Grades: PK-6
| 549 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.
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: #2828.
Mckinley Elementary 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
| 269 students
Rank: #2929.
Capitol View Elementary 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
| 545 students
Rank: #3030.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
705 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 419 students
Rank: n/an/a
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Grades: PK
| 194 students
Rank: n/an/a
3350 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
Grades: PK
| 23 students
Rank: n/an/a
2115 E 39th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Grades: PK
| 263 students
Rank: n/an/a
111 Porter
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Grades: PK
| 340 students
Rank: n/an/a
600 Garfield St. Sw
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 967-6361
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 967-6361
Grades: PK-2
| 605 students
Show 3 more public schools in Polk County, IA (out of 38 total schools)
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Polk County 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
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Grades: K-6
| 259 students
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 458 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
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Grades: 9-12
| 57 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
3500 74th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Grades: PK-5
| 296 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
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grades: 9-12
| 18 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
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Grades: PK-3
| 180 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
310 Nw School St
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Grades: K-5
| 277 students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Grades: 6-12
| 30 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 Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA include Henry A Wallace Elementary School, Webster Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Polk County?
38 public preschools are located in Polk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public preschools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Polk County include: Mitchell Early Childhood Center vs. Mckee Elementary School, Willowbrook Elementary School vs. Altoona Elementary School, Centennial Elementary School vs. Altoona Elementary School
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