Park Ave Elementary School

3141 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 378 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Park Ave Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 35-39% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 28% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 378 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 57%
  • : Bottom 50% in IA
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Park Ave Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

School Overview

Park Ave Elementary School's student population of 378 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 29 teachers has declined by 9% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
378 students
This chart displays total students of Park Ave Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Park Ave Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Park Ave Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Park Ave Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

Park Ave Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Park Ave Elementary School is 0.71, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#1175 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Park Ave Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40-44%
64%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
35-39%
70%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
40-44%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Park Ave Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
1%
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Park Ave Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
Asian
3%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
29%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
15%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
43%
72%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
9%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Park Ave Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
0.71
This chart displays the diversity score of Park Ave Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
73%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Park Ave Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Park Ave Elementary School's ranking?
Park Ave Elementary School is ranked #1175 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are Park Ave Elementary School often compared to?
Park Ave Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Windsor Elementary School, Altoona Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
How many students attend Park Ave Elementary School?
378 students attend Park Ave Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of Park Ave Elementary School students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 15% of students are Black, 9% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Park Ave Elementary School?
Park Ave Elementary School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Park Ave Elementary School offer ?
Park Ave Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is Park Ave Elementary School part of?
Park Ave Elementary School is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is Park Ave Elementary School located?
Park Ave Elementary School is located in the Indianola Hills neighborhood of Des Moines, IA. There are 1 other public schools located in Indianola Hills.

School Reviews

5   6/3/2022
My child has excelled at this wonderful and diverse school. The fact that they lock the doors during the day has left us feeling so much safer. The teachers have had great communication and so far we have never had bully issues. My child has a severe food allergy and every teacher and the nurse have taken it seriously and always check. I feel lucky that after 3 years here we still feel so good about the experience. They try very hard here, and they are truly a good school. I think bad reviews may be coming from the parents just not communicating properly. This is a good school in our community.
- Posted by Parent - Caringmom
1   10/9/2020
This is my child 3rd yr at this school. All I Can say is rude no concern will not give my child the time of day.
- Posted by Parent - Alex

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 378 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 57%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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