Needs Improvement
#1207 of 1,280 schools in IA
King Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1849 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,207 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#48 of 64
public schools
In district
#43 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.4 / 10
Very Good
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King Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jessie Franklin Taylor
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Edmunds Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About King Elementary School
King Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. King Elementary School serves approximately 273 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. King Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,207 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for King Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at King 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
King Elementary School — Students at King Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.2%
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
↓ 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: 2.4/10.
How King Elementary School Compares
See how King 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
1849 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering King Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY TRINITY (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edmunds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 2.5 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 2.1 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50314 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,511
Median Home Value
$146,700
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
10,203
College Educated
15.3%
Homeownership
46.4%
Poverty Rate
36.2%
Median Age
31.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 3.2 |
| Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA | 3.3 |
| James Wilson Grimes School Burlington, IA | 3.3 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.3 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA | 3.1 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park, IA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about King Elementary School
What grades does King Elementary School serve?
King Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend King Elementary School?
King Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at King Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at King Elementary School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does King Elementary School rank in IA?
King Elementary School ranks #1,207 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is King Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
King Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 King Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, King Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is King Elementary School a charter school?
No, King Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is King Elementary School a Title I school?
No, King Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for King Elementary School?
91.2% of students at King 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
- 273
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.1%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8417
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
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