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Needs Improvement

#1201 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

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,201 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#47 of 64

public schools

In district

#42 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School environment

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Mckinley Elementary School

3.3/10

Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Anthony Elementary School

6.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Howe Elementary

4.6/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mckinley Elementary School

Mckinley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Mckinley Elementary School serves approximately 269 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Mckinley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,201 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Mckinley Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Mckinley 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 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism34.9%

Mckinley Elementary School — Students at Mckinley Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

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 48.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
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: 2.5/10.

How Mckinley Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
6th percentile in IA
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walnut Street School (rated 6.0/10, 1.4 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 4.6
Weeks Middle School Des Moines 1.3 mi 4.1
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 5.0
Lincoln High School Des Moines 1.3 mi 2.5
East High School Des Moines 1.6 mi 2.4
Walnut Street School Des Moines 1.4 mi 6.0
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 3.1
Carver Elementary Des Moines 1.8 mi 3.8
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 1.9 mi 8.4
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 3.5
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.0 mi 3.1
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 4.3
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 4.7
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.2 mi 8.2
Downtown School Des Moines 2.0 mi 5.8
Virtual Campus Des Moines 2.0 mi 2.1
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.0
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 3.5
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 2.6 mi 4.7

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
Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA 3.3
James Wilson Grimes School Burlington, IA 3.3
Briggs Elementary School Maquoketa, IA 3.2
King Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.2
Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park, IA 3.4
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.4

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 ranks #1,201 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mckinley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mckinley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Mckinley Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mckinley Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

District

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

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