Average
#722 of 1,280 schools in IA
Delaware Elementary
Elementary School · Southeast Polk Comm School District
4401 E 46th St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#23 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#404 of 662
In district
#5 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Delaware Elementary
Delaware Elementary serves 423 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Des Moines, Iowa, earning a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #288 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, Delaware Elementary maintains a favorable 12.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention.
Academically, the school demonstrates strong performance with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 72% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the dedication of both educators and families in supporting student achievement. Delaware Elementary is located in the 50317 zip code area, a diverse community where the median household income is $61,170 and median home values average $152,500.
The neighborhood has a 13.5% poverty rate, and 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school serves families from this working-class community of over 35,000 residents. Situated on East 46th Street in this mid-size city setting, Delaware Elementary provides a stable educational foundation for students in an established Des Moines neighborhood that balances suburban convenience with urban accessibility.
Score Breakdown
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Delaware Elementary — Students at Delaware Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 4.2/10.
How Delaware Elementary Compares
See how Delaware Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
4401 E 46th St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Delaware Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altoona Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Altoona), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Phillips Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Clay Elementary Altoona | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 4.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 4.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 4.9 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,569
Median Home Value
$165,200
Median Rent
$1,079/mo
Population
36,721
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
70.9%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Delaware Elementary has a median household income of $61,569. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,200, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 6.2 |
| Edward White Elementary School Eldridge, IA | 6.2 |
| Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown, IA | 6.2 |
| Highland Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 6.2 |
| Logan-Magnolia Elementary School Logan, IA | 6.2 |
| Mid-Prairie West Elementary School Wellman, IA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Delaware Elementary
What grades does Delaware Elementary serve?
Delaware Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Delaware Elementary?
Delaware Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Delaware Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Delaware Elementary is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Delaware Elementary rank in IA?
Delaware Elementary is ranked #722 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Delaware Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Delaware Elementary has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Delaware Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Delaware Elementary has 78.5% math proficiency and 79.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Delaware Elementary a charter school?
No, Delaware Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Delaware Elementary a Title I school?
No, Delaware Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Delaware Elementary?
46.1% of students at Delaware 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
- 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 – 5th
- Enrollment
- 423
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 262-3197
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
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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