Average
#787 of 1,280 schools in IA
Cowles Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
6401 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50324
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#27 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#435 of 662
In district
#23 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Cowles Elementary School
Cowles Elementary School serves 403 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Des Moines, Iowa, earning recognition as a strong academic performer in the state. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining an 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides a supportive learning environment where students consistently excel. The school's academic achievements are particularly impressive, with 87% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 77% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These strong results have earned Cowles Elementary a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 277th out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide. As a regular public school, Cowles Elementary draws families from a well-educated community where 43% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 50324 ZIP code reflects stability and economic security, with a median household income of $85,055 and home values averaging $234,700, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 8%.
Located on College Avenue in a large suburban area of Polk County, Cowles Elementary sits within a thriving community of approximately 5,200 residents who value educational excellence and family-centered living.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cowles Elementary School — Students at Cowles Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 20 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: 5.7/10.
How Cowles Elementary School Compares
See how Cowles Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 88% (2019) to 87% (2022).
Location
6401 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50324
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cowles Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.4 mi | — |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50324 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,083
Median Home Value
$251,800
Median Rent
$1,355/mo
Population
5,171
College Educated
44.3%
Homeownership
77.8%
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cowles Elementary School has a median household income of $89,083. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,800, with a median rent of $1,355/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield, IA | 6.0 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 6.0 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill, IA | 6.0 |
| Irving Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 6.0 |
| Janesville Elementary School Janesville, IA | 6.0 |
| Kluckhohn Elementary School Le Mars, IA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cowles Elementary School
What grades does Cowles Elementary School serve?
Cowles Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cowles Elementary School?
Cowles Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cowles Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cowles Elementary School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cowles Elementary School rank in IA?
Cowles Elementary School is ranked #787 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cowles Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cowles Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Cowles Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cowles Elementary School has 82.6% math proficiency and 88.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cowles Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cowles Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cowles Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cowles Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cowles Elementary School?
15.9% of students at Cowles 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 403
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-7818
- 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
- #23 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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