Serving 113 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Ruby Van Meter 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 ≤10% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤10% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 4:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 28% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Special education school / Magnet School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 113 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 4:1
- Minority Enrollment: 51%
- Graduation Rate: <50% (Btm 50% in IA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Ruby Van Meter ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
Ruby Van Meter's student population of 113 students has declined by 29% over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has declined by 24% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Total Students
113 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
Ruby Van Meter 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 Ruby Van Meter is 0.68, 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.
Overall Testing Rank
#1233 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
3%
2%
Hispanic
22%
13%
Black
18%
7%
White
49%
72%
Hawaiian
1%
1%
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
<50%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
59%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
14%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ruby Van Meter's ranking?
Ruby Van Meter is ranked #1233 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while ≤10% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Ruby Van Meter?
The graduation rate of Ruby Van Meter is 50%, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 90%.
How many students attend Ruby Van Meter?
113 students attend Ruby Van Meter.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
49% of Ruby Van Meter students are White, 22% of students are Hispanic, 18% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Ruby Van Meter?
Ruby Van Meter has a student ration of 4:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ruby Van Meter offer ?
Ruby Van Meter offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-12
What school district is Ruby Van Meter part of?
Ruby Van Meter is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is Ruby Van Meter located?
Ruby Van Meter is located in the Woodland Heights neighborhood of Des Moines, IA. There are 1 other public schools located in Woodland Heights.
School Reviews
Review Ruby Van Meter. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.