Best Schools in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines has 64 ranked public schools, giving families a wide range of options across the metro. The district average sits at 5.6 out of 10, which places the city in moderate territory statewide. That average, though, masks real variation — 11 schools, or 17% of the total, score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist for parents willing to research by neighborhood or enrollment zone.

Elementary schools dominate the top of the local rankings. Cornell Elementary School leads the city with a score of 7.9 out of 10, followed closely by Garton Elementary at 7.8 and Moulton Elementary School at 7.6. Clive Learning Academy ties Moulton at 7.6, and South Union Elementary School rounds out the top five at 7.4. The concentration of high performers at the elementary level signals that families with younger children have the most choices when seeking above-average academics within the public system.

The 5.6 city average means roughly half the schools fall below that mark, so location within Des Moines matters significantly. Parents in the western suburbs and areas served by higher-rated elementaries will generally find stronger academic profiles than those in other parts of the metro. Families without a clear top-tier school in their attendance zone should look closely at magnet and open-enrollment options — Clive Learning Academy's presence in the top five suggests that choice programs can offer competitive performance independent of home address.

Practically speaking, parents researching Des Moines should prioritize individual school scores over the city average. The gap between the top school at 7.9 and schools at the lower end of the range is substantial, and those differences translate into real disparities in tested outcomes and resources. Start with the 11 schools scoring 7 or above as a shortlist, then factor in commute, program fit, and grade span. Des Moines gives families enough ranked schools to compare meaningfully — use the data to narrow the field before scheduling visits.