Very Good
#147 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 11% 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
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#1 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#109 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Saydel Comm School District
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Cornell Elementary School
Cornell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and has an enrollment of 560 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. The school's setting is in a large suburban area, making it easily accessible to families living nearby.
Cornell Elementary School focuses on providing a solid educational foundation for its young learners. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranking at number 537 among 1288 schools in Iowa (which places it around the 58th percentile), Cornell is well-regarded within its community but has room to improve academically. Students perform particularly well in math, with 70% achieving proficiency or above on state assessments, while reading scores stand at 67%.
The school benefits from having 37 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting the educational growth of each child. Cornell Elementary School is situated in a suburban area that offers a safe and supportive environment for students as they embark on their academic journey.
Score Breakdown
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Cornell Elementary School — Students at Cornell Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
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 10 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: 9.9/10.
How Cornell Elementary School Compares
See how Cornell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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. Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Heritage Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 4.1 miles away), 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 | 3.9 |
| Woodside Middle School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Heritage Elementary Ankeny | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| North High School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Ankeny High School Ankeny | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Southview Middle School Ankeny | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 7.8 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Southeast Elementary School Ankeny | 4.0 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cornell Elementary School has a median household income of $64,077. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $1,077/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton, IA | 7.9 |
| Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 7.9 |
| Novak Elementary School Marion, IA | 7.9 |
| Orange Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 7.9 |
| Penn Elementary School North Liberty, IA | 7.9 |
| South Hamilton Elem Jewell, IA | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #147 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cornell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cornell Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Cornell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cornell Elementary School has 70.4% math proficiency and 66.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 244-8173
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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