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Excellent

#5 of 157 private schools in IA

Top 3% of private schools

Holy Family School

Elementary School

1265 E 9TH ST, Des Moines, IA 50316

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more

Enrollment

211

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#2 of 13

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#3 of 103

About Holy Family School

Holy Family School serves 211 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Des Moines, Iowa, offering a strong educational foundation with an impressive 10:1 student-teacher ratio. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that has contributed to its solid reputation in the state. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #30 out of 157 elementary schools in Iowa, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.

This performance reflects the dedication of the school community to academic excellence and student success. Located at 1265 E 9th Street in Des Moines' 50316 ZIP code, Holy Family School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $51,803 and median home value is $129,300. The neighborhood has a 22.1% poverty rate, and about 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, representing a community where the school plays an important role in providing educational opportunities.

The small class sizes and strong statewide ranking suggest that Holy Family School creates an environment where students receive individualized support and guidance. The school operates within Des Moines' mid-size city setting, offering families both urban conveniences and a close-knit school community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Holy Family School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Holy Family School compares to 53 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
This School
vs
13.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
211
This School
vs
404
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 53.6% vs 0%
Asian 38.4% vs 0%
Black 5.7% vs 0%
White 2.4% vs 0%
Holy Family School Des Moines Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Holy Family School (this school) 8.4
Carver Elementary 6.6
Hiatt Middle School 7.0
Capitol View Elementary School 4.4
Moulton Elementary School 7.6
Cattell Elementary School 7.2
Findley Elementary School 5.8
Walnut Street School 5.0
Edmunds Elementary School 5.7
Phillips Elementary 6.8
Harding Middle School 3.2
King Elementary School 7.2
McKinley Elementary School 4.2
Madison Elementary School 3.4
Garton Elementary 7.8
Downtown School 6.2
Oak Park 5.6
Willard Elementary School 6.3
Ruby Van Meter 5.1
Goodrell Middle School 4.3
Callanan Middle School 4.2

Showing 20 of 53 schools. View all schools in Des Moines

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,344
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 56%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 211
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IA

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.9%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 83.8%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 53.6%
Asian 38.4%
Black 5.7%
White 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1265 E 9TH ST, Des Moines, IA 50316

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holy Family School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cattell Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Carver Elementary Des Moines 0.3 mi 6.6
East High School Des Moines 0.4 mi 4.3
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 0.4 mi 7.0
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 0.9 mi 4.4
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 0.9 mi 8.2
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 1.2 mi 7.6
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 7.2
North High School Des Moines 1.4 mi 5.3
Findley Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.8
Harding Middle School Des Moines 1.8 mi 3.2
Walnut Street School Des Moines 1.6 mi 5.0
McKinley Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 4.2
Madison Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 3.4
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.5
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 5.7
Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines 1.8 mi 5.5
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 1.8 mi 6.8
King Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 7.2
Oak Park Des Moines 2.3 mi 5.6
Garton Elementary Des Moines 2.2 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,090

Median Home Value

$137,300

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

16,188

College Educated

12.7%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

31.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holy Family School has a median household income of $53,090. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,300, with a median rent of $963/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. 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
Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton, IA 8.4
Durant Elementary School Sumner, IA 8.4
East Campus Elementary School Waukon, IA 8.4
West Union Elementary School West Union, IA 8.4
Alta Elementary School Alta, IA 8.3
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown, IA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holy Family School

What grades does Holy Family School serve?

Holy Family School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Holy Family School?

Holy Family School has an enrollment of approximately 211 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holy Family School?

The student-teacher ratio at Holy Family School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Holy Family School rank in IA?

Holy Family School is ranked #5 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is Holy Family School's MySchoolScout rating?

Holy Family School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Holy Family School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holy Family School has 77.9% math proficiency and 83.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Holy Family School a private school?

Yes, Holy Family School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Holy Family School a religious school?

Holy Family School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
211
Gender Split
71% M / 29% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
192 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
POLK
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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