Below Average
#1060 of 1,280 schools in IA
Hanawalt Elementary
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
225 56th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,060 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#24 of 64
public schools
In district
#20 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Hanawalt Elementary
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Merrill Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bergman Academy
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hanawalt Elementary
Hanawalt Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Hanawalt Elementary serves approximately 317 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Hanawalt Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,060 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Hanawalt Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hanawalt Elementary — Students at Hanawalt Elementary score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How Hanawalt Elementary Compares
See how Hanawalt 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
225 56th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hanawalt Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 0.9 mi | — |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,720
Median Home Value
$274,400
Median Rent
$1,057/mo
Population
15,492
College Educated
61.9%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
15.8 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.6 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA | 4.6 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert, IA | 4.6 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines, IA | 4.6 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.6 |
| Northstar Elementary School Knoxville, IA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hanawalt Elementary
What grades does Hanawalt Elementary serve?
Hanawalt Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Hanawalt Elementary?
Hanawalt Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hanawalt Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Hanawalt Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hanawalt Elementary rank in IA?
Hanawalt Elementary ranks #1,060 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hanawalt Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hanawalt Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Hanawalt Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hanawalt Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hanawalt Elementary a charter school?
No, Hanawalt Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hanawalt Elementary a Title I school?
No, Hanawalt Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hanawalt Elementary?
46.4% of students at Hanawalt 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
- 317
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.4%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8411
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #20 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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