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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,914

Delaware Elementary — Students at Delaware Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.5%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 79.9%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
78.3%
ELA
81.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
44th percentile in IA
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southeast Polk Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,424
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,583
District Rank
#5 of 11

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 methodology

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