Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School District · Des Moines, Iowa
Avg Rating
5.5
out of 10
Schools
59
38 elem, 10 mid, 6 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Avg Rating
5.5
out of 10
Schools
59
38 elem, 10 mid, 6 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
How this district compares
Iowa rank
#277 of 310
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Iowa avg
Per-pupil spending
$15,518
+$2,496 vs Iowa median
District size
30,277 students
Much larger than Iowa median
About Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District is a Des Moines, Iowa school district serving 59 schools. The district educates 30,277 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. The district invests $15,518 per student annually.
With an average rating of 5.5/10, Des Moines Independent Comm School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Garton Elementary, which has a composite score of 7.8/10.
In standardized testing, Des Moines Independent Comm School District students show an average math proficiency of 48.3% and ELA proficiency of 49.8%.
The district includes 38 elementary schools , 10 middle schools , and 6 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District with test data.
Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District
59 schools Elementary Schools 38
Middle Schools 10
High Schools 6
District Details
- State
- Iowa
- City
- Des Moines
- Total Enrollment
- 30,277
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2,069
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District has 59 schools in total — 38 elementary, 10 middle, and 6 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
The average composite rating for Des Moines Independent Comm School District is 5.5/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District spends $15,518 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in Des Moines Independent Comm School District is 14.6:1.
What is the top-rated school in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Garton Elementary is the highest-rated school in Des Moines Independent Comm School District with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What are the test scores in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Across schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 48.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 49.8%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Des Moines Independent Comm School District compare to other districts in Iowa?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District has an average school rating of 5.5/10 across 59 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Iowa by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.5/10
- Math Proficiency
- 48.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 49.8%
Resources
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 methodologyOther School Districts in IA
Compare Des Moines Independent Comm School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Cedar Rapids Comm School District (34)
- Iowa City Comm School District (29)
- Davenport Comm School District (27)
- Sioux City Comm School District (21)
- Dubuque Comm School District (18)
- Waterloo Comm School District (18)
- Waukee Comm School District (18)
- Ankeny Comm School District (17)
- Council Bluffs Comm School District (15)
- West Des Moines Comm School District (14)
- Linn-mar Comm School District (12)
- Ottumwa Comm School District (11)
- Southeast Polk Comm School District (11)
- Cedar Falls Comm School District (10)
- College Comm School District (10)
- Marshalltown Comm School District (10)
- Mason City Comm School District (9)
- Muscatine Comm School District (9)
- Ames Comm School District (8)
- Burlington Comm School District (8)
- Johnston Comm School District (8)
- Pleasant Valley Comm School District (8)
- Western Dubuque Comm School District (8)
- Bettendorf Comm School District (7)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
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