Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School District · Des Moines, Iowa
Avg Rating
4.2
out of 10
Schools
59
38 elem, 10 mid, 6 high
Enrollment
30,277
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Avg Rating
4.2
out of 10
Schools
59
38 elem, 10 mid, 6 high
Enrollment
30,277
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Evaluating Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Des Moines Independent Comm School District as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cowles Elementary School
Des Moines · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Willard Elementary School
Des Moines · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Moore Elementary School
Des Moines · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Iowa rank
#300 of 310
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-2.1
below Iowa avg
Per-pupil spending
$15,518
+$2,496 vs Iowa median
District size
30,277 students
Much larger than Iowa median
The short answer
Des Moines Independent Comm School District ranks #300 of 310 Iowa districts by overall school rating. Des Moines Independent Comm School District's schools with real test data average 4.3/10 across 55 schools. Its top-rated schools are Cowles Elementary School (7.7/10), Willard Elementary School (7.4/10), and Moore Elementary School (6.9/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 7.4/10 despite 82% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Des Moines Independent Comm School District schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (55 of 59). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cowles Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Willard Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Moore Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Windsor Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Merrill Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Garton Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Greenwood Elementary School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Edmunds Elementary School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Walnut Street School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Downtown School | 5.8 / 10 |
See all 59 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
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. District-level spending was $15,518 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 4.2/10, Des Moines Independent Comm School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Cowles Elementary School, which has a composite score of 7.7/10.
In standardized testing, Des Moines Independent Comm School District students show an average math proficiency of 54.7% and ELA proficiency of 54.9%.
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 schoolsElementary Schools38
Middle Schools10
High Schools6
District Details
- State
- Iowa
- City
- Des Moines
- Total Enrollment
- 30,277
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2,069
- District spending per student
- $15,518NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 21.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory 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 4.2/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Des Moines Independent Comm School District's district-level spending was $15,518 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
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?
Cowles Elementary School is the highest-rated school in Des Moines Independent Comm School District with a composite score of 7.7/10.
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 54.7% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 54.9%. 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 4.2/10 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 blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 4.2/10
- Math Proficiency
- 54.7%
- ELA Proficiency
- 54.9%
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.