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Below Average

#1189 of 1,280 schools in IA

Mckinley Elementary School

Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

1610 SE 6th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315

Enrollment

269

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#54 of 64

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#613 of 662

In district

#50 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Mckinley Elementary School

McKinley Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, McKinley has an enrollment of 269 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance reflects room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of 979 out of 1288 schools in Iowa.

Academically, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 45% meet proficiency standards in math and 46% do so in science. McKinley Elementary is situated in a mid-size city setting within Polk County, providing access to various community resources for its students. While specific neighborhood data is not available, the school's location offers opportunities for students to engage with their surroundings through local programs and activities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Mckinley Elementary School — Students at Mckinley Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Mckinley Elementary School Compares

See how Mckinley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

1610 SE 6th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mckinley 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, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 0.5 mi 6.5
Howe Elementary Des Moines 1.0 mi 5.7
Weeks Middle School Des Moines 1.3 mi 4.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 4.4
Lincoln High School Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.8
East High School Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.3
Walnut Street School Des Moines 1.4 mi 5.0
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 3.8
Carver Elementary Des Moines 1.8 mi 6.6
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 1.9 mi 8.4
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 4.7
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.0 mi 7.0
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 7.4
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 7.1
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.2 mi 8.2
Downtown School Des Moines 2.0 mi 6.2
Virtual Campus Des Moines 2.0 mi 3.5
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 5.7
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 6.3
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 2.6 mi 7.6

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 Mckinley 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
Audubon Elementary School Dubuque, IA 4.2
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 4.3
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein, IA 4.3
Sigourney Elementary Sigourney, IA 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend, IA 4.3
Woodward-Granger Early Learning Center Granger, IA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mckinley Elementary School

What grades does Mckinley Elementary School serve?

Mckinley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mckinley Elementary School?

Mckinley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 269 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mckinley Elementary School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mckinley Elementary School rank in IA?

Mckinley Elementary School is ranked #1189 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mckinley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mckinley Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Mckinley Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mckinley Elementary School has 40.3% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mckinley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Mckinley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mckinley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Mckinley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mckinley Elementary School?

78.1% of students at Mckinley 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#50 of 59

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 methodology

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