Below Average
#1120 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#48 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#576 of 662
In district
#44 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Jackson Elementary School
Jackson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, at 3825 Indianola Avenue. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Jackson Elementary has an enrollment of 495 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in the heart of a mid-size city, offering a diverse community for learning.
Jackson Elementary focuses on fostering early education and skill development, though recent academic performance shows room for improvement. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranking as the 22nd percentile among Iowa schools, students have achieved proficiency rates of 50% in ELA/reading and 49% in math, with science proficiency at 37%. These scores indicate that while there is a need for academic growth, the school remains dedicated to student development.
Jackson Elementary School is deeply rooted in its community within Des Moines, providing an engaging educational environment for young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Jackson Elementary School — Students at Jackson Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
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 6 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: 4.7/10.
How Jackson Elementary School Compares
See how Jackson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 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 | 4.2 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 3.8 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 5.5 |
| East High School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
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 Jackson Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.7 |
| West Burlington Elem School West Burlington, IA | 4.7 |
| Whittier Elementary School Indianola, IA | 4.7 |
| Bryant Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.8 |
| Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1120 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Jackson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jackson Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Jackson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jackson Elementary School has 45.0% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8415
- 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
- #44 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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