Skip to main content

Average

#72 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 45% of private schools

Des Moines Adventist School

Elementary School

2317 WATROUS AVE, Des Moines, IA 50321

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more

Enrollment

39

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#8 of 13

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#48 of 103

About Des Moines Adventist School

DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL is a small, intimate school nestled in Des Moines, Iowa, offering education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of just 39 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, the school provides individualized attention to each child. Three full-time equivalent teachers support this close-knit community, ensuring that every student receives personalized care and guidance.

While academic performance metrics are not available, DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL aims to foster a nurturing environment focused on holistic development and strong relationships between students, teachers, and families. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 places it in the 29th percentile among Iowa schools, indicating there is room for academic growth and improvement. Located in the heart of Des Moines, DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL benefits from its setting within a mid-size city, offering students access to various cultural and educational resources while maintaining a tight-knit community feel.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 39 students, Des Moines Adventist School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Des Moines Adventist School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Des Moines Adventist School compares to 57 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
This School
vs
14:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
39
This School
vs
393
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.5
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Asian 41% vs 0%
Hispanic 20.5% vs 0%
Black 17.9% vs 0%
White 15.4% vs 0%
Des Moines Adventist School Des Moines Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Des Moines Adventist School (this school) 6.5
Jefferson Elementary School 4.8
Brody Middle School 2.8
Wright Elementary School 3.5
Park Ave Elementary School 3.8
Morris Elementary School 6.8
South Union Elementary School 7.4
Mitchell Early Childhood Center 5.0
Howe Elementary 5.7
Downtown School 6.2
Greenwood Elementary School 6.8
Weeks Middle School 4.2
Lovejoy Elementary School 6.3
Walnut Street School 5.0
McKinley Elementary School 4.2
Ruby Van Meter 5.1
McCombs Middle School 5.5
Callanan Middle School 4.2
Jackson Elementary School 4.7
Hanawalt Elementary 6.7
Edmunds Elementary School 5.7

Showing 20 of 57 schools. View all schools in Des Moines

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,350
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 10.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 73%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 2.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 39
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Asian 41.0%
Hispanic 20.5%
Black 17.9%
White 15.4%
Two or More 5.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2317 WATROUS AVE, Des Moines, IA 50321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Des Moines Adventist School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 0.1 mi 4.8
Brody Middle School Des Moines 0.5 mi 2.8
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 1.0 mi 3.5
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.8
Lincoln High School Des Moines 1.4 mi 3.8
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 6.8
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 1.7 mi 6.0
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 7.4
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.0
Downtown School Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.2
Virtual Campus Des Moines 2.4 mi 3.5
Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines 2.5 mi 6.8
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.3 mi 6.5
Walnut Street School Des Moines 2.7 mi 5.0
Ruby Van Meter Des Moines 2.9 mi 5.1
BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.5 mi 8.2
Callanan Middle School Des Moines 2.9 mi 4.2
ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.7 mi 5.2
Howe Elementary Des Moines 2.4 mi 5.7
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 3.2 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,636

Median Home Value

$294,100

Median Rent

$1,098/mo

Population

7,787

College Educated

41.2%

Homeownership

60.5%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Des Moines Adventist School has a median household income of $77,636. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,100, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Latimer, IA 6.5
DANBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Danbury, IA 6.4
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah, IA 6.6
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina, IA 6.6
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston, IA 6.3
SPAULDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alton, IA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Des Moines Adventist School

What grades does Des Moines Adventist School serve?

Des Moines Adventist School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Des Moines Adventist School?

Des Moines Adventist School has an enrollment of approximately 39 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Des Moines Adventist School?

The student-teacher ratio at Des Moines Adventist School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Des Moines Adventist School rank in IA?

Des Moines Adventist School is ranked #72 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Des Moines Adventist School's MySchoolScout rating?

Des Moines Adventist School has a composite rating of 6.5 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.

Is Des Moines Adventist School a private school?

Yes, Des Moines Adventist School is a private coeducational school with a Seventh-day Adventist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Des Moines Adventist School a religious school?

Des Moines Adventist School has a Seventh-day Adventist religious affiliation.

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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
39
Gender Split
59% M / 41% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Seventh-day Adventist
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
POLK
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.