Very Good
#411 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 32% in state
Karen Acres Elementary School
Elementary School · Urbandale Comm School District
3500 74th St, Urbandale, IA 50322
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#411 of 1,280
In Urbandale
#5 of 7
public schools
In district
#3 of 5
Urbandale Comm School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Karen Acres Elementary School
Elementary School in Urbandale · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Olmsted Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Urbandale Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Karen Acres Elementary School
Karen Acres Elementary School is a public elementary school in Urbandale, IA, part of Urbandale Comm School District. Karen Acres Elementary School serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Karen Acres Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #411 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Karen Acres Elementary School show 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 7.7
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Karen Acres Elementary School — Students at Karen Acres Elementary School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 6.0/10.
How Karen Acres Elementary School Compares
See how Karen Acres 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
3500 74th St, Urbandale, IA 50322
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Karen Acres Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Urbandale, see our Urbandale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 2.8 mi | — |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,323
Median Home Value
$263,900
Median Rent
$1,151/mo
Population
31,694
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
71.2%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
40.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 7.4 |
| Delwood Elementary School Delmar, IA | 7.4 |
| Edgewood-Colesburg Elementary School Edgewood, IA | 7.4 |
| SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine, IA | 7.4 |
| Washington Elementary School Charles City, IA | 7.4 |
| West Union Elementary School West Union, IA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Karen Acres Elementary School
What grades does Karen Acres Elementary School serve?
Karen Acres Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Karen Acres Elementary School?
Karen Acres Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Karen Acres Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Karen Acres Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Karen Acres Elementary School rank in IA?
Karen Acres Elementary School ranks #411 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Karen Acres Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Karen Acres Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Karen Acres Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Karen Acres Elementary School has 81% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Karen Acres Elementary School a charter school?
No, Karen Acres Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Karen Acres Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Karen Acres Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Karen Acres Elementary School?
48.4% of students at Karen Acres 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
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.0%
- Phone
- (515) 457-5700
Resources & Links
District
Urbandale Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 4,255
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,693
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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