Below Average
#1063 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,063 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#27 of 64
public schools
In district
#23 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Brubaker Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hoyt Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mckee Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Brubaker Elementary School
Brubaker Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Brubaker Elementary School serves approximately 618 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Brubaker Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,063 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Brubaker Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at Brubaker Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Brubaker Elementary School — Students at Brubaker Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
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 35 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: 4.9/10.
How Brubaker Elementary School Compares
See how Brubaker Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Delaware Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altoona Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Altoona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 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 | 3.6 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 2.6 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 2.4 |
| 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 | 4.3 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 3.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 5.3 |
| East High School Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 2.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.6 |
| East Sac County Elementary Sac City, IA | 4.5 |
| Kenwood Leadership Academy School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.5 |
| Linn Grove Elementary School Marion, IA | 4.5 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
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 ranks #1,063 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Brubaker Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Brubaker Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Brubaker Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Brubaker Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.1%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8405
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #23 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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