Below Average
#1129 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#13 of 13
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#583 of 662
In district
#13 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
About Fairmeadows Elementary School
Fairmeadows Elementary School is a regular public school located in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 545 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed academically and socially. Fairmeadows Elementary has 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse learning community.
The school’s academic performance shows that 75% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 74% meet the proficiency standard in Math, demonstrating strong foundational skills. However, only 49% of students reach proficiency in Science, indicating an area where additional support could be beneficial for student development. Fairmeadows Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Polk County, providing a supportive community environment for learning and growth.
While the school’s MySchoolScout rating places it in the middle range among Iowa schools, Fairmeadows continues to focus on improving its educational offerings to better serve its students and their families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Fairmeadows Elementary School — Students at Fairmeadows Elementary School score 73% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 3.3/10.
How Fairmeadows Elementary School Compares
See how Fairmeadows Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 71% (2022).
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. Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 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 | 5.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 1.1 mi | — |
| Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.5 mi | — |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fairmeadows Elementary School has a median household income of $84,588. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $267,600, with a median rent of $1,065/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.7 |
| West Burlington Elem School West Burlington, IA | 4.7 |
| Whittier Elementary School Indianola, IA | 4.7 |
| Bryant Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.8 |
| Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1129 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Fairmeadows Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fairmeadows Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Fairmeadows Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairmeadows Elementary School has 74.5% math proficiency and 74.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,882/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 633-6500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Des Moines Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 9,170
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,074
- District Rank
- #13 of 13
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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