Skip to main content

Average

#895 of 1,280 schools in IA

Fairmeadows Elementary School

Elementary School · West Des Moines Comm School District

807 23rd St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#895 of 1,280

In West Des Moines

#9 of 13

public schools

In district

#8 of 13

West Des Moines Comm School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Fairmeadows Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Fairmeadows Elementary School

5.5/10

Elementary School in West Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sacred Heart School

5.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Stilwell Junior High School

6.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fairmeadows Elementary School

Fairmeadows Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Des Moines, IA, part of West Des Moines Comm School District. Fairmeadows Elementary School serves approximately 545 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Fairmeadows Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #895 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Fairmeadows Elementary School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.3 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,074
Chronic Absenteeism18.2%

Fairmeadows Elementary School — Students at Fairmeadows Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.1% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.6% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
91%
ELA
85%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2018
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
72.4%
ELA
76.4%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Fairmeadows Elementary School Compares

See how Fairmeadows Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in IA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

807 23rd St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairmeadows Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines 0.5 mi 5.2
Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines 0.6 mi 6.5
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines 1.2 mi 5.2
Valley High School West Des Moines 1.1 mi 4.5
Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines 1.1 mi 3.7
SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm 1.1 mi
Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 1.2 mi 3.7
Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines 1.2 mi 4.9
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive 1.6 mi 8.0
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines 1.4 mi
Learning Resource Center West Des Moines 1.6 mi
Valley Southwoods West Des Moines 1.7 mi 5.7
AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines 1.5 mi
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive 2.1 mi 3.8
Clive Learning Academy Des Moines 2.0 mi 6.1
Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines 1.9 mi 6.2
Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines 1.9 mi 7.5
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 7.7
Windsor Elementary Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.3
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50265 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,588

Median Home Value

$267,600

Median Rent

$1,065/mo

Population

33,061

College Educated

48.5%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bluff Elementary School Clinton, IA 5.5
Fillmore Elementary School Davenport, IA 5.5
Pekin Elementary School Packwood, IA 5.5
Prairie Heights Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA 5.5
Sawyer Elementary School Ames, IA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairmeadows Elementary School

What grades does Fairmeadows Elementary School serve?

Fairmeadows Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Fairmeadows Elementary School?

Fairmeadows Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairmeadows Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairmeadows Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairmeadows Elementary School rank in IA?

Fairmeadows Elementary School ranks #895 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fairmeadows Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairmeadows Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Fairmeadows Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fairmeadows Elementary School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Fairmeadows Elementary School a charter school?

No, Fairmeadows Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fairmeadows Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Fairmeadows Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairmeadows Elementary School?

22.4% of students at Fairmeadows 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.2%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.