Average
#516 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 40% in state
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
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#15 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#313 of 662
In district
#13 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Hanawalt Elementary
Hanawalt Elementary is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 317 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, Hanawalt provides personalized attention to help each child thrive academically. The school has 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Hanawalt Elementary's academic performance shows room for growth but highlights areas of strength. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks at #460 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 64th percentile state-wide. In terms of specific subjects, 63% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 67% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Science performance is slightly lower with 58% of students achieving proficiency. Hanawalt Elementary is situated within a mid-size city setting, offering easy access to community resources and cultural opportunities for its students. The school’s dedicated faculty works closely with families to support student development and academic progress.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Hanawalt Elementary — Students at Hanawalt Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
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 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: 5.7/10.
How Hanawalt Elementary Compares
See how Hanawalt Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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, Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.0 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hanawalt Elementary has a median household income of $82,720. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,400, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| AHSTW Primary School Avoca, IA | 6.7 |
| Bowman Woods Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 6.7 |
| Carpenter Elementary School Monticello, IA | 6.7 |
| Centennial Elementary Altoona, IA | 6.7 |
| Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 6.7 |
| George-Little Rock Elementary School Little Rock, IA | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #516 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hanawalt Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Hanawalt Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Hanawalt Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hanawalt Elementary has 66.9% math proficiency and 62.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 317
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8411
- 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
- #13 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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