Best Schools in Des Moines, Washington
12 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $85,466
- Median home value
- $551,750
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
18% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Des Moines compares
Washington rank
#151 of 192
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Washington avg (6.3)
Median household income
$85k
96% of Washington median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Des Moines, Washington
Des Moines, Washington is home to 12 schools, including 9 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Des Moines show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Des Moines is North Hill Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Des Moines is served by 3 school districts: Why Not You Academy, Federal Way School District, Highline School District. These districts collectively serve 39,834 students.
Des Moines's community shows 30% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $85,466. The poverty rate in the area is 9.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 514 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 507 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | 407 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 489 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 5 | 564 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL
Private
256 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Private
154 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 626 students · 6th–8th | 3.3 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 1,889 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 193 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K-SCHOOL
Private
34 students · 2nd–11th | Not Rated |
Schools in Des Moines
Des Moines, Washington · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$85,466
Median Home Value
$551,750
Median Rent
$1,804/mo
Population
50,214
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Community Profile
Des Moines has a median household income of $85,466. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,750, with a median rent of $1,804/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Washington
- Total Schools
- 12
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 5.6/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Des Moines, Washington
How many schools are in Des Moines, Washington?
Des Moines has 12 schools, including 9 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Des Moines, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Des Moines is 5.6 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Des Moines, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Des Moines on MySchoolScout is North Hill Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Des Moines, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Des Moines on MySchoolScout is North Hill Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Des Moines, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Des Moines on MySchoolScout is Pacific Middle School with a composite score of 3.3/10.
What is the best high school in Des Moines, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Des Moines on MySchoolScout is Maritime High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Des Moines, Washington?
Des Moines is served by 3 school districts: Why Not You Academy, Federal Way School District, Highline School District.
What is the education level in Des Moines, Washington?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Des Moines have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Des Moines, Washington?
The median household income in Des Moines is approximately $85,466 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Des Moines, Washington?
Yes, Des Moines has 3 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Philomena School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Des Moines, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Des Moines is 16.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Des Moines, Washington?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Washington Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.