Below Average
#1061 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,061 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#25 of 64
public schools
In district
#21 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Howe Elementary
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Weeks Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mckinley Elementary School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Howe Elementary
Howe Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Howe Elementary serves approximately 303 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Howe Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,061 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Howe Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Howe Elementary 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
Howe Elementary — Students at Howe Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 35 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: 4.6/10.
How Howe Elementary Compares
See how Howe Elementary 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
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 ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 2.1 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 | 4.1 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 2.5 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 2.6 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 2.4 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 3.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 2.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.6 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA | 4.6 |
| Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert, IA | 4.6 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines, IA | 4.6 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.6 |
| Northstar Elementary School Knoxville, IA | 4.6 |
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 ranks #1,061 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Howe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Howe Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Howe Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Howe Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.0%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8413
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #21 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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