Needs Improvement
#1186 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
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
412
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,186 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#43 of 64
public schools
In district
#38 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Shortlisting around Lovejoy Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lovejoy Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Union Elementary School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lovejoy Elementary School
Lovejoy Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Lovejoy Elementary School serves approximately 412 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Lovejoy Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,186 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Lovejoy Elementary School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at Lovejoy 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
Lovejoy Elementary School — Students at Lovejoy Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
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 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: 3.4/10.
How Lovejoy Elementary School Compares
See how Lovejoy 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
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. ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 2.6 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.1 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 3.3 |
| 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 | 3.4 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 4.0 mi | 5.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA | 3.5 |
| Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.5 |
| Hayes Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.4 |
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 ranks #1,186 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lovejoy Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lovejoy Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Lovejoy Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lovejoy Elementary School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.5%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8419
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #38 of 59
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.