Top Rankings
Des Moines Independent Community School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 4,144 students in Des Moines Independent Community School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Iowa.
Public Preschools in Des Moines Independent Community School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 73%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
59 Schools
474 Schools
# Students
29,871 Students
151,894 Students
# Teachers
1,899 Teachers
11,053 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 73% has decreased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#325 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
63%
Graduation Rate
73%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.75
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
8%
2%
% Hispanic
31%
13%
% Black
22%
6%
% White
32%
73%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,764 is higher 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 $17,189 is higher than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$590 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$513 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,764
$16,468
Spending / Student
$17,189
$16,042
Best Des Moines Independent Community School District Public Preschools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cowles Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Gr: PK-8 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Gr: PK-5 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 60-64% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #44.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #55.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #66.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #77.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 38% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #88.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 32% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Gr: PK | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
2115 E 39th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Gr: PK | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: n/an/a
111 Porter
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Gr: PK | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: n/an/a
4000 Lower Beaver Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8213
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8213
Gr: PK | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
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