Very Good
#317 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 25% in state
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
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#317 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#3 of 64
public schools
In district
#1 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Cowles Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Theresa Catholic School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Windsor Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cowles Elementary School
Cowles Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Cowles Elementary School serves approximately 403 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Cowles Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #317 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Cowles Elementary School show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cowles Elementary School — Students at Cowles Elementary School score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).
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 42 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: 8.4/10.
How Cowles Elementary School Compares
See how Cowles 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
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 slightly higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.3 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.0 |
| 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 | 3.7 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Broadway Elementary School Denison, IA | 7.7 |
| North Cedar Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 7.7 |
| Novak Elementary School Marion, IA | 7.7 |
| West Lyon Elementary School Inwood, IA | 7.7 |
| Alexander Elementary Iowa City, IA | 7.8 |
| Boyden-Hull Elementary School Boyden, IA | 7.8 |
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 ranks #317 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cowles Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cowles Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Cowles Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cowles Elementary School has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.7%
- Phone
- (515) 242-7818
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #1 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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