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Excellent

#8 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 5% of private schools

Bergman Academy

Elementary School

100 45TH ST, Des Moines, IA 50312

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more

Enrollment

273

Student-Teacher

7.3:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#4 of 13

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#4 of 103

About Bergman Academy

Bergman Academy serves 273 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Des Moines, offering a comprehensive elementary education with notably small class sizes. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptional 7.3:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and personalized learning experiences. The school has earned a solid 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 87th among Iowa's 157 elementary schools, placing it in the 45th percentile statewide.

This regular public school provides a stable educational foundation for students throughout their formative years, with the continuity of serving students from their earliest school experiences through middle school. Bergman Academy is situated in the 50312 ZIP code area, a well-established neighborhood where the median household income reaches $77,612 and home values average $259,500. The community demonstrates a strong commitment to education, with 62% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 9%.

This educated, economically stable community of approximately 15,500 residents provides a supportive environment for the school's mission. The school operates within Des Moines' mid-size city setting, offering families access to urban resources while maintaining a neighborhood school atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, Bergman Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Bergman Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$17,855
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$15,112
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.85x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
97%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$5.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 273 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Bergman Academy compares to 57 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
This School
vs
14:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
273
This School
vs
393
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.2
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 72.9% vs 0%
Asian 7.7% vs 0%
Black 2.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.6% vs 0%
Bergman Academy Des Moines Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Bergman Academy (this school) 8.2
Hanawalt Elementary 6.7
Merrill Middle School 6.0
Greenwood Elementary School 6.8
Hubbell Elementary 7.2
Callanan Middle School 4.2
Ruby Van Meter 5.1
Windsor Elementary 6.2
Brody Middle School 2.8
Downtown School 6.2
Perkins Elementary School 5.0
Jefferson Elementary School 4.8
Cowles Elementary School 6.0
Edmunds Elementary School 5.7
Walnut Street School 5.0
Hillis Elementary School 5.5
King Elementary School 7.2
Monroe Elementary School 7.3
Clive Learning Academy 7.6
Park Ave Elementary School 3.8
Jessie Franklin Taylor 5.5

Showing 20 of 57 schools. View all schools in Des Moines

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 44%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 273
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IA

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 95.2%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 99.0%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 72.9%
Two or More 14.3%
Asian 7.7%
Black 2.6%
Hispanic 2.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

100 45TH ST, Des Moines, IA 50312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bergman Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hubbell Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Greenwood Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 0.5 mi 5.2
Merrill Middle School Des Moines 0.7 mi 6.0
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines 0.7 mi 6.7
Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 6.8
Roosevelt High School Des Moines 1.1 mi 6.5
Hubbell Elementary Des Moines 1.1 mi 7.2
Callanan Middle School Des Moines 1.5 mi 4.2
Ruby Van Meter Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.1
AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines 1.6 mi
Windsor Elementary Des Moines 1.9 mi 6.2
Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.5
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.0 mi 6.7
Perkins Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 5.0
Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines 1.8 mi 5.3
Brody Middle School Des Moines 2.1 mi 2.8
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.6 mi 8.5
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.5 mi 6.0
Downtown School Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.2
Virtual Campus Des Moines 2.1 mi 3.5
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 2.5 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,720

Median Home Value

$274,400

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Population

15,492

College Educated

61.9%

Homeownership

64.5%

Avg Commute

15.8 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

40.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bergman Academy has a median household income of $82,720. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,400, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn, IA 8.2
Clear Creek Elementary School Oxford, IA 8.2
J C Hoglan Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 8.2
Moville Elementary School Moville, IA 8.2
Wings Park Elementary School Oelwein, IA 8.2
Audubon Elementary School Audubon, IA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bergman Academy

What grades does Bergman Academy serve?

Bergman Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Bergman Academy?

Bergman Academy has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bergman Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Bergman Academy is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Bergman Academy rank in IA?

Bergman Academy is ranked #8 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Bergman Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Bergman Academy has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bergman Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bergman Academy has 95.2% math proficiency and 99.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bergman Academy a private school?

Yes, Bergman Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Bergman Academy a religious school?

No, Bergman Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
7 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
273
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
POLK
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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