Excellent
#241 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 19% in state
Cornell Elementary School
Elementary School · Saydel Comm School District
5817 NE 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50313
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#241 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#2 of 64
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Saydel Comm School District
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Cornell Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Saydel High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Woodside Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cornell Elementary School
Cornell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Saydel Comm School District. Cornell Elementary School serves approximately 560 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cornell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #241 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Cornell Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cornell Elementary School — Students at Cornell Elementary School score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 32 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: 8.6/10.
How Cornell Elementary School Compares
See how Cornell 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
5817 NE 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cornell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heritage Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Prairie Trail Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Crocker Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Saydel High School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Woodside Middle School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Heritage Elementary Ankeny | 3.3 mi | 8.5 |
| North High School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Ankeny High School Ankeny | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Southview Middle School Ankeny | 3.9 mi | 5.0 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 3.2 mi | — |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 2.7 |
| Southeast Elementary School Ankeny | 4.0 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,077
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$1,077/mo
Population
18,280
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
17.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
37.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Lyon Elementary School Rock Rapids, IA | 8.0 |
| Ekstrand Elementary School De Witt, IA | 8.0 |
| Irving Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 8.0 |
| Lisbon Elementary School Lisbon, IA | 8.0 |
| North Ridge Elementary Grimes, IA | 8.0 |
| Underwood Elementary School Underwood, IA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cornell Elementary School
What grades does Cornell Elementary School serve?
Cornell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Cornell Elementary School?
Cornell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cornell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cornell Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cornell Elementary School rank in IA?
Cornell Elementary School ranks #241 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cornell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cornell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Cornell Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cornell Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cornell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cornell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cornell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cornell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cornell Elementary School?
28.2% of students at Cornell 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 560
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.1%
- Phone
- (515) 244-8173
Resources & Links
District
Saydel Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,376
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,826
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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