Excellent
#7 of 157 private schools in IA
Top 4% of private schools
Joshua Christian Academy
School · Des Moines, IA
A private school in Des Moines, IA serving grades Kindergarten – 12th.
1740 GARFIELD AVE, Des Moines, IA 50316
- Math 57% vs IA 74% (2025)
- Reading 62% vs IA 75% (2025)
- 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
PreliminaryWhat this rating measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.
Data not available
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in IA
2025 ISASP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Joshua Christian Academy sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 40Car-Dependent
- Transit 35Some Transit
- Bike 41Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,846/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Des Moines), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$53,090
Median home value
$137,300
Median rent
$963/mo
College educated
12.7%
Homeownership
66.5%
Poverty rate
19.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 50316; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Student demographicsNCES Private School Universe Survey (PSS) (SY 2021–22)
Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey (PSS)
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
3 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One School Global Des Moines CampusPrivate · tuition | 5.0private | 3–12 | 2.3 mi | 36 | Compare → |
| Grand View Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 4.7private | PK–12 | 3.2 mi | 643 | Compare → |
| Ruby Van MeterEnrollment path unverified | 2.5 | K–12 | 3.6 mi | 112 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Joshua Christian Academy is listed in Des Moines, IA; verify the current enrollment path directly.
About Joshua Christian Academy
Joshua Christian Academy is a private school in Des Moines, IA, serving approximately 175 students in grades Kindergarten-12th with a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #7 of 157 private schools in IA. State assessment records show 57% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Joshua Christian Academy
What grades does Joshua Christian Academy serve?
Joshua Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Joshua Christian Academy?
Joshua Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 175 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joshua Christian Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Joshua Christian Academy is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Joshua Christian Academy rank in IA?
Joshua Christian Academy ranks #7 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Joshua Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Joshua Christian Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Joshua Christian Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joshua Christian Academy has 57% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Is Joshua Christian Academy a private school?
Yes, Joshua Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Joshua Christian Academy a religious school?
Joshua Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
School factsNCES Private School Universe Survey (PSS) (SY 2021–22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 175
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 162 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 265-0603
- Area population (ZIP 50316)
- 16,188
- Area average commute
- 19.1 min
- Area median age
- 31.7
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Private School Universe Survey (PSS) · SY 2021–22 · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 ISASP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 ISASP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 50316; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments 2025 ISASP; directory SY 2021–22
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