Average
#759 of 1,280 schools in IA
Garton Elementary
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2820 E 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
429
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#759 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#11 of 64
public schools
In district
#7 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Garton Elementary
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Goodrell Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
One School Global Des Moines Campus
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Garton Elementary
Garton Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Garton Elementary serves approximately 429 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Garton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #759 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Garton Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Garton Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Garton Elementary — Students at Garton Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 42 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: 5.0/10.
How Garton Elementary Compares
See how Garton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2820 E 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cattell Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 2.4 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 8.2 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.8 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.6 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 2.4 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant, IA | 6.0 |
| Buford Garner Elementary North Liberty, IA | 6.0 |
| Demoney Elementary Estherville, IA | 6.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garton Elementary
What grades does Garton Elementary serve?
Garton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Garton Elementary?
Garton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 429 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Garton Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garton Elementary rank in IA?
Garton Elementary ranks #759 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Garton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Garton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Garton Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Garton Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Garton Elementary a charter school?
No, Garton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Garton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garton Elementary?
77.6% of students at Garton 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 429
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.6%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8408
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #7 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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