Very Good
#353 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 28% in state
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
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#9 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#227 of 662
In district
#7 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About King Elementary School
King Elementary School is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving kindergarten through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 273 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more personalized attention. The school has 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
King Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, and it ranks at #978 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 24th percentile statewide. Academically, King Elementary aims for continuous improvement with current proficiency rates in ELA/Reading, Math, and Science at 31%, 27%, and 27% respectively, indicating areas where further development is needed. King Elementary School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Des Moines, offering its students access to various community resources and cultural opportunities.
Despite the current academic standing, King Elementary remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment for student growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at King Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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King Elementary School — Students at King Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
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 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How King Elementary School Compares
See how King Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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 Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding King Elementary School has a median household income of $38,511. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,700, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA | 7.2 |
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City, IA | 7.2 |
| Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City, IA | 7.2 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA | 7.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 7.2 |
| Clark Elementary School New London, IA | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #353 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is King Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
King Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 King Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, King Elementary School has 26.9% math proficiency and 30.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 69 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 42 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 49 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8417
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #7 of 59
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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