Average
#557 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 43% in state
Carver Elementary
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
705 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#16 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#331 of 662
In district
#14 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Carver Elementary
Carver Elementary, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school serving preschool through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 419 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, Carver provides personalized attention to its young learners. The school boasts 35 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with the community in a mid-size city setting.
Carver Elementary’s academic performance is currently rated at 3.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 1063rd out of 1288 schools statewide, placing it around the 18th percentile for Iowa schools. In terms of proficiency scores, students show 33% in ELA/Reading, 40% in Math, and 36% in Science, with room for growth in these areas. While Carver Elementary is focusing on student development and academic improvement, it remains an important part of the Des Moines community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Carver Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Carver Elementary — Students at Carver Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How Carver Elementary Compares
See how Carver Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 29% (2022).
Location
705 E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carver Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cattell Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 8.4 |
| East High School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
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 Carver Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Cunningham School Waterloo, IA | 6.6 |
| Durant Elementary School Durant, IA | 6.6 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville, IA | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pella, IA | 6.6 |
| Orchard Hill Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 6.6 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dyersville, IA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carver Elementary
What grades does Carver Elementary serve?
Carver Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Carver Elementary?
Carver Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carver Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Carver Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carver Elementary rank in IA?
Carver Elementary is ranked #557 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Carver Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carver Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Carver Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carver Elementary has 40.3% math proficiency and 33.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carver Elementary a charter school?
No, Carver Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carver Elementary a Title I school?
No, Carver Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carver Elementary?
87.4% of students at Carver Elementary 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
- 419
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8418
- 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
- #14 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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