Top Rankings
Southeast Polk Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 4,024 students in Southeast Polk Comm School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Iowa.
Public Elementary Schools in Southeast Polk Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 78% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 66%), and reading proficiency score of 74% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
11 Schools
924 Schools
# Students
7,424 Students
320,020 Students
# Teachers
474 Teachers
23,100 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
District Rank
Southeast Polk Comm School District, which is ranked within the top 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 96% has decreased from 98% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#109 out of 327 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
63%
Graduation Rate
96%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.47
# American Indian Students
14 Students
1,327 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
199 Students
7,817 Students
% Asian Students
3%
3%
# Hispanic Students
782 Students
40,728 Students
% Hispanic Students
11%
13%
# Black Students
603 Students
22,463 Students
% Black Students
8%
7%
# White Students
5,326 Students
228,520 Students
% White Students
72%
71%
# Hawaiian Students
23 Students
2,308 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
477 Students
16,789 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
312
17,527
# Students in K Grade:
521
35,055
# Students in 1st Grade:
523
34,545
# Students in 2nd Grade:
550
35,477
# Students in 3rd Grade:
516
35,334
# Students in 4th Grade:
525
35,902
# Students in 5th Grade:
533
35,813
# Students in 6th Grade:
544
35,551
# Students in 7th Grade:
532
24,719
# Students in 8th Grade:
574
22,978
# Students in 9th Grade:
533
1,729
# Students in 10th Grade:
604
1,838
# Students in 11th Grade:
575
1,809
# Students in 12th Grade:
582
1,743
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,595 in this school district is less 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 $13,124 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$108 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$97 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,595
$16,468
Spending / Student
$13,124
$16,042
Best Southeast Polk Comm School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Spring Creek - 6th Grade
(Math: 78% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8031 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5533
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5533
Grades: 6
| 544 students
Rank: #99.
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
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
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.
