Very Good
#267 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 21% 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
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Urbandale
#2 of 7
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#181 of 662
In district
#2 of 5
Urbandale Comm School District
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Karen Acres Elementary School
Karen Acres Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in Urbandale, a large suburban area of Polk County. The school enrolls 244 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, supported by 20 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Karen Acres performs solidly in the upper half of Iowa elementary schools, ranking 195th out of 1,288 statewide and earning a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.2/10.
In reading and language arts, 75% of students test at proficient levels or above, while math performance is slightly stronger at 76% proficiency across grade levels. Science shows room for growth, with 68% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. These results reflect a school focused on building strong fundamentals across core subjects while supporting diverse learners.
The classroom environment benefits from reasonable class sizes, giving teachers the ability to work closely with individual students. Karen Acres is situated in Urbandale's suburban setting, offering families a community-oriented school environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Karen Acres Elementary School — Students at Karen Acres Elementary School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
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 13 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: 6.6/10.
How Karen Acres Elementary School Compares
See how Karen Acres Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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 slightly higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 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 | 7.7 |
| Urbandale Middle School Urbandale | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 5.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Karen Acres Elementary School has a median household income of $89,323. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,900, with a median rent of $1,151/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA | 7.5 |
| Calamus-Wheatland Elem Attendance Center Calamus, IA | 7.5 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer, IA | 7.5 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood, IA | 7.5 |
| South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar, IA | 7.5 |
| Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake, IA | 7.5 |
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 is ranked #267 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Karen Acres Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Karen Acres Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Karen Acres Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Karen Acres Elementary School has 76.3% math proficiency and 74.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Urbandale). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 457-5700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Urbandale Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 4,255
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,693
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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