Needs Improvement
#1185 of 1,280 schools in IA
Jackson Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
3825 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,185 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#42 of 64
public schools
In district
#37 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Jackson Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Weeks Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Howe Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Jackson Elementary School
Jackson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Jackson Elementary School serves approximately 495 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Jackson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,185 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Jackson Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Jackson 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
Jackson Elementary School — Students at Jackson Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 3.4/10.
How Jackson Elementary School Compares
See how Jackson 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
3825 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jackson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.1 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 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.1 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 2.5 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.9 |
| East High School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 2.4 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 3.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola, IA | 3.5 |
| Hayes Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.4 |
| McKinley Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jackson Elementary School
What grades does Jackson Elementary School serve?
Jackson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Jackson Elementary School?
Jackson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 495 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jackson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jackson Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jackson Elementary School rank in IA?
Jackson Elementary School ranks #1,185 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Jackson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jackson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Jackson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Jackson Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Jackson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Jackson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jackson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Jackson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jackson Elementary School?
72.5% of students at Jackson 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 495
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.7%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8415
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #37 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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