Average
#941 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
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#33 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#504 of 662
In district
#29 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Hillis Elementary School
Hillis Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, on the corner of 56th Street. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Hillis has an enrollment of 291 students and employs 24 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. The school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment with personalized attention for each child.
While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—with proficiency rates at 44% in ELA/reading and 46% in math, and lower scores in science—Hillis Elementary is committed to fostering student development and progress. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranking 977th among Iowa’s schools, there are opportunities for growth and enhancement. Situated in the heart of Des Moines, Hillis Elementary School benefits from its urban setting, offering students access to diverse cultural experiences and resources within a mid-size city environment.
Score Breakdown
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Hillis Elementary School — Students at Hillis Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
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 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: 5.4/10.
How Hillis Elementary School Compares
See how Hillis Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 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 | 5.4 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | — |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillis Elementary School has a median household income of $74,473. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,043/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Hoover Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.5 |
| Marshall Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 5.5 |
| ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City, IA | 5.5 |
| RRMR Elementary School Rockford, IA | 5.5 |
| Starmont Elementary School Arlington, IA | 5.5 |
| Bryant Elementary School Algona, IA | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #941 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hillis Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillis Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Hillis Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillis Elementary School has 46.1% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 291
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8412
- 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
- #29 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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