Needs Improvement
#1224 of 1,280 schools in IA
Hillis Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2401 56th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,224 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#52 of 64
public schools
In district
#47 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Hillis Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mt Olive Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Moore Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillis Elementary School
Hillis Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Hillis Elementary School serves approximately 291 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillis Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,224 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Hillis Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Hillis Elementary School 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
Hillis Elementary School — Students at Hillis Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
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: 1.8/10.
How Hillis Elementary School Compares
See how Hillis Elementary School 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
2401 56th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillis Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 1.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | — |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,473
Median Home Value
$213,800
Median Rent
$1,043/mo
Population
31,283
College Educated
36.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
37.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Oak Park Des Moines, IA | 3.0 |
| Prescott Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 3.0 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA | 3.1 |
| Audubon Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 2.8 |
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 3.2 |
| Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 2.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillis Elementary School
What grades does Hillis Elementary School serve?
Hillis Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Hillis Elementary School?
Hillis Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillis Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillis Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillis Elementary School rank in IA?
Hillis Elementary School ranks #1,224 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hillis Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillis Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Hillis Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillis Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hillis Elementary School a charter school?
No, Hillis Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillis Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Hillis Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillis Elementary School?
63.9% of students at Hillis 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 291
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.4%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8412
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #47 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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