Below Average
#1163 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
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#50 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#602 of 662
In district
#46 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Capitol View Elementary School
Capitol View Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 545 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 44 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Capitol View Elementary School is currently ranked as #1190 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 8th percentile.
Test scores show that 42% of students are proficient or above in both ELA and Math, while 32% reach proficiency in Science. While these numbers indicate there is room for academic growth, Capitol View Elementary School continues to focus on student development through a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers. The school is situated in the heart of Des Moines, offering access to city resources and community activities that complement its educational programs.
Capitol View Elementary School's setting in Des Moines provides students with opportunities beyond the classroom, fostering their overall growth and engagement within a vibrant mid-size city community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Capitol View Elementary School — Students at Capitol View Elementary School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
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 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Capitol View Elementary School Compares
See how Capitol View Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 41% (2022).
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 Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 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 | 4.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| North High School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 3.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Capitol View Elementary School has a median household income of $53,090. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,300, with a median rent of $963/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert, IA | 4.4 |
| Harlan Primary Harlan, IA | 4.4 |
| Johnson STEAM Academy School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.4 |
| Eason Elementary School Waukee, IA | 4.5 |
| Harrison Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.5 |
| James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty, IA | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #1163 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Capitol View Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Capitol View Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Capitol View Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Capitol View Elementary School has 42.0% math proficiency and 41.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8402
- 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
- #46 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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