Needs Improvement
#1152 of 1,280 schools in IA
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
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,152 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#39 of 64
public schools
In district
#34 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Carver Elementary
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Family School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
East High School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Carver Elementary
Carver Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Carver Elementary serves approximately 419 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Carver Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,152 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Carver Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Carver Elementary 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
Carver Elementary — Students at Carver Elementary score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 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: 3.1/10.
How Carver Elementary Compares
See how Carver Elementary 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
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 ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walnut Street School (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 2.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.1 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 3.0 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA | 3.8 |
| Greene County Elementary Jefferson, IA | 3.8 |
| Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison, IA | 3.8 |
| Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.7 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee, IA | 3.7 |
| West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty, IA | 3.7 |
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 ranks #1,152 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Carver Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Carver Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Carver Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Carver Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.8%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8418
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #34 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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