Below Average
#1078 of 1,280 schools in IA
Brubaker Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2900 E 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50317
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#46 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#560 of 662
In district
#42 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Brubaker Elementary School
Brubaker Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Brubaker has an enrollment of 618 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within the heart of a mid-size city, providing a diverse learning environment.
While Brubaker Elementary currently ranks at #1128 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (placing it in the 12th percentile), it continues to focus on student development and academic growth. On MySchoolScout's rating system, Brubaker has received a score of 3.4/10, with an academic performance score of 1.4/10, indicating areas for improvement but also potential for enhancement in the future. In terms of proficiency rates across all grades, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 42% achieve this level in math and only 34% do so in science.
Brubaker Elementary is situated within a vibrant city community, offering its students a blend of urban resources and educational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Brubaker Elementary School — Students at Brubaker Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Brubaker Elementary School Compares
See how Brubaker Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
2900 E 42nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brubaker Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cattell Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Phillips Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 0.1 mi | 4.0 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 3.2 mi | 4.8 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
| East High School Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,569
Median Home Value
$165,200
Median Rent
$1,079/mo
Population
36,721
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
70.9%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Brubaker Elementary School has a median household income of $61,569. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,200, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Buford Garner Elementary North Liberty, IA | 4.9 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona, IA | 4.9 |
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee, IA | 4.9 |
| Morningside Elementary Sioux City, IA | 4.9 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny, IA | 4.9 |
| Unity Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brubaker Elementary School
What grades does Brubaker Elementary School serve?
Brubaker Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Brubaker Elementary School?
Brubaker Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 618 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brubaker Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Brubaker Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brubaker Elementary School rank in IA?
Brubaker Elementary School is ranked #1078 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Brubaker Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Brubaker Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Brubaker Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brubaker Elementary School has 42.3% math proficiency and 44.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brubaker Elementary School a charter school?
No, Brubaker Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brubaker Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Brubaker Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brubaker Elementary School?
75.2% of students at Brubaker Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 618
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8405
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #42 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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