Below Average
#1097 of 1,280 schools in IA
Jefferson Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2425 Watrous Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#47 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#567 of 662
In district
#43 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 306 pupils with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from its 21 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Jefferson Elementary School ranks in the 62nd percentile among Iowa schools and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10.
In state assessments, students perform well above average in math, with 74% scoring proficient or higher. Reading and science scores are also strong, at 69% and 65% proficiency rates respectively. Located in the heart of a mid-size city, Jefferson Elementary School benefits from the vibrant community life around it.
Despite being in an area where neighborhood data is not available, the school offers its students a robust educational foundation with room for growth and development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
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: 3.1/10.
How Jefferson Elementary School Compares
See how Jefferson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
2425 Watrous Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 3.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,636
Median Home Value
$294,100
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Population
7,787
College Educated
41.2%
Homeownership
60.5%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary School has a median household income of $77,636. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,100, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| East Mills Elementary School Hastings, IA | 4.8 |
| Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 4.8 |
| Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine, IA | 4.8 |
| Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City, IA | 4.8 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PEOSTA CENTER Peosta, IA | 4.8 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale, IA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elementary School
What grades does Jefferson Elementary School serve?
Jefferson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elementary School?
Jefferson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elementary School rank in IA?
Jefferson Elementary School is ranked #1097 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Jefferson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary School has 70.3% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary School?
40.2% of students at Jefferson 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 306
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8416
- 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
- #43 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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