Average
#663 of 1,280 schools in IA
Lovejoy Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
801 E Kenyon Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#19 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#375 of 662
In district
#16 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Lovejoy Elementary School
Lovejoy Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Lovejoy has an enrollment of 412 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting within a mid-size city provides a diverse learning environment for its young scholars.
Lovejoy Elementary School is ranked in the bottom 20th percentile among Iowa schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.9 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 1.3 out of 10. Students at Lovejoy perform around average or slightly below state standards in ELA/Reading (38% proficient), Math (39% proficient), and Science (33% proficient). With room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement.
Lovejoy Elementary School is situated in a bustling mid-size city, offering students a vibrant community setting with various cultural and recreational opportunities nearby.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Lovejoy 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Lovejoy Elementary School — Students at Lovejoy Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82%
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: 7.4/10.
How Lovejoy Elementary School Compares
See how Lovejoy Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
801 E Kenyon Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lovejoy Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 2.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 3.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 4.0 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,036
Median Home Value
$164,000
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
35,349
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lovejoy Elementary School has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA | 6.3 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater, IA | 6.3 |
| Bedford Elementary School Bedford, IA | 6.3 |
| Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA | 6.3 |
| Fred Becker Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 6.3 |
| Guthrie Center Elementary School Guthrie Center, IA | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lovejoy Elementary School
What grades does Lovejoy Elementary School serve?
Lovejoy Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Lovejoy Elementary School?
Lovejoy Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 412 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lovejoy Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lovejoy Elementary School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lovejoy Elementary School rank in IA?
Lovejoy Elementary School is ranked #663 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lovejoy Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lovejoy Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Lovejoy Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lovejoy Elementary School has 38.9% math proficiency and 37.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lovejoy Elementary School a charter school?
No, Lovejoy Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lovejoy Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Lovejoy Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lovejoy Elementary School?
82.0% of students at Lovejoy 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
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 412
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8419
- 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
- #16 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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