Needs Improvement
#1190 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
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,190 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#44 of 64
public schools
In district
#39 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Jefferson Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Des Moines Adventist School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Brody Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Jefferson Elementary School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,190 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elementary School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Jefferson 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
Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
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 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: 1.9/10.
How Jefferson Elementary School Compares
See how Jefferson 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
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 DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.4 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 | 3.3 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 2.5 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 2.1 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 2.6 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 2.5 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.3 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 6.0 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.4 |
| Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.4 |
| Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA | 3.5 |
| Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 3.3 |
| Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
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 ranks #1,190 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Jefferson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Elementary School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.0%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8416
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #39 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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