Average
#986 of 1,280 schools in IA
Capitol View Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
320 E. 16th, Des Moines, IA 50316
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#986 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#20 of 64
public schools
In district
#16 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Capitol View Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
East High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hiatt Middle School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Capitol View Elementary School
Capitol View Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Capitol View Elementary School serves approximately 545 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Capitol View Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #986 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Capitol View Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Capitol View 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
Capitol View Elementary School — Students at Capitol View Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.3%
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: 5.3/10.
How Capitol View Elementary School Compares
See how Capitol View 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
320 E. 16th, Des Moines, IA 50316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Capitol View Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East High School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 2.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.6 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.0 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| North High School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 2.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,090
Median Home Value
$137,300
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
16,188
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
66.5%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Median Age
31.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee, IA | 4.9 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk, IA | 4.9 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 4.9 |
| Hoover Elementary School Mason City, IA | 4.9 |
| Lincoln Upper Elementary School Washington, IA | 5.1 |
| Longfellow Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Capitol View Elementary School
What grades does Capitol View Elementary School serve?
Capitol View Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Capitol View Elementary School?
Capitol View Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Capitol View Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Capitol View Elementary School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Capitol View Elementary School rank in IA?
Capitol View Elementary School ranks #986 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Capitol View Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Capitol View Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Capitol View Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Capitol View Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Capitol View Elementary School a charter school?
No, Capitol View Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Capitol View Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Capitol View Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Capitol View Elementary School?
85.3% of students at Capitol View 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 545
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8402
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #16 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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