Willard Elementary School

2941 Dean Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317
(School attendance zone shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 286 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Willard 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 55-59% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 65% 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: 286 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 65%
  • : Bottom 50% in IA
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

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

School Overview

Willard Elementary School's student population of 286 students has declined by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 24 teachers has declined by 20% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
Total Students
286 students
This chart displays total students of Willard Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Willard Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
24 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Willard Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Willard Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

Willard 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 Willard 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)
#1072 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Willard 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 Willard 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.
55-59%
70%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Willard 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.
30-39%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Willard 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
12:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Willard 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
Asian
4%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Willard Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
38%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Willard Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
14%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Willard Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
35%
72%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Willard 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
8%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Willard 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 Willard 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 Willard 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
83%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Willard 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
7%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Willard 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 Willard Elementary School's ranking?
Willard Elementary School is ranked #1072 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?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 55-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
How many students attend Willard Elementary School?
286 students attend Willard Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
38% of Willard Elementary School students are Hispanic, 35% of students are White, 14% of students are Black, 8% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Willard Elementary School?
Willard Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Willard Elementary School offer ?
Willard Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5
What school district is Willard Elementary School part of?
Willard Elementary School is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is Willard Elementary School located?
Willard Elementary School is located in the Fairground neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Kindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 286 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 65%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 40-44% (Btm 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Btm 50%)
  • : 30-39% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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