Average
#706 of 1,280 schools in IA
Downtown School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1800 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
29.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
235
Student-Teacher
29.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#21 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#396 of 662
In district
#18 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Downtown School
Downtown School in Des Moines, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 235 students and a student-teacher ratio of 29.4:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment with eight full-time equivalent teachers. Downtown School’s academic performance places it at #300 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, ranking around the 77th percentile statewide.
Students perform well across subjects, with 77% proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 79% in Math, and 76% in Science. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.7 out of 10, reflecting its strong academic focus with room for growth. Located in the heart of Des Moines, Downtown School benefits from being situated in a mid-size city, offering students access to cultural and recreational opportunities right outside their classroom doors.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Downtown School is 29.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Downtown School — Students at Downtown School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.7%
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: 7.4/10.
How Downtown School Compares
See how Downtown School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
1800 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Downtown School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, King Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 0.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,974
Median Home Value
$286,900
Median Rent
$1,166/mo
Population
9,199
College Educated
66.8%
Homeownership
11.7%
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
28.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Downtown School has a median household income of $57,974. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,900, with a median rent of $1,166/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Madison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.2 |
| Mid-Prairie West Elementary School Wellman, IA | 6.2 |
| Schuler Elementary School Atlantic, IA | 6.2 |
| Sibley Ocheyedan Elementary School Sibley, IA | 6.2 |
| Walcott Elementary School Walcott, IA | 6.2 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines, IA | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Downtown School
What grades does Downtown School serve?
Downtown School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Downtown School?
Downtown School has an enrollment of approximately 235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Downtown School?
The student-teacher ratio at Downtown School is 29.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Downtown School rank in IA?
Downtown School is ranked #706 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Downtown School's MySchoolScout rating?
Downtown School 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 Downtown School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Downtown School has 78.6% math proficiency and 76.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Downtown School a charter school?
No, Downtown School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Downtown School a Title I school?
No, Downtown School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Downtown School?
18.7% of students at Downtown 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 29.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 284-5848
- 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
- #18 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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