Average
#885 of 1,280 schools in IA
Howe Elementary
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2900 Indianola, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#31 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#481 of 662
In district
#27 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Howe Elementary
Howe Elementary is a regular public school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 303 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. Howe Elementary has a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks 959th out of 1288 schools in Iowa for academic performance.
On state tests, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 44% in math, and 32% in science. While Howe Elementary has room for improvement academically, it offers a nurturing setting where students can grow and develop alongside their peers. The school is situated in the heart of Des Moines, providing easy access to city resources and cultural activities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Howe Elementary — Students at Howe Elementary score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
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: 5.1/10.
How Howe Elementary Compares
See how Howe Elementary 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 improved from 42% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
2900 Indianola, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howe Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 4.2 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,036
Median Home Value
$164,000
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
35,349
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howe Elementary has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Aplington Elementary School Aplington, IA | 5.7 |
| Dyersville Elementary School Dyersville, IA | 5.7 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.7 |
| Emerson Hough Elementary School Newton, IA | 5.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point, IA | 5.7 |
| Herbert Hoover Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howe Elementary
What grades does Howe Elementary serve?
Howe Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Howe Elementary?
Howe Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howe Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Howe Elementary 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 Howe Elementary rank in IA?
Howe Elementary is ranked #885 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Howe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Howe Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Howe Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howe Elementary has 43.5% math proficiency and 43.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Howe Elementary a charter school?
No, Howe Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howe Elementary a Title I school?
No, Howe Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howe Elementary?
77.9% of students at Howe 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
- 303
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8413
- 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
- #27 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.