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Average

#1060 of 1,280 schools in IA

Mitchell Early Childhood Center

School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

111 Porter, Des Moines, IA 50310

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more

Enrollment

340

Student-Teacher

21.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – Pre-K

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#45 of 64

public schools

In district

#41 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

About Mitchell Early Childhood Center

Mitchell Early Childhood Center is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving the early years of education with preschool programs. The school has an enrollment of 340 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.2:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Mitchell Early Childhood Center provides a nurturing environment for young learners.

While the MySchoolScout Rating is currently 5.5 out of 10 and the school ranks at #626 out of 1288 in Iowa (placing it around the 52nd percentile), these metrics do not fully capture the supportive and engaging atmosphere that Mitchell Early Childhood Center offers to its students. The absence of specific test score data highlights the focus on holistic development rather than solely academic performance. Situated in a mid-size city, Mitchell Early Childhood Center benefits from being part of a vibrant community, offering preschoolers opportunities to explore their environment both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mitchell Early Childhood Center is 21.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics3.7Fair29%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 60 schools in Des Moines
College Readiness7.6Very Good43%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Mitchell Early Childhood Center Compares

See how Mitchell Early Childhood Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
17th percentile in IA
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

111 Porter, Des Moines, IA 50310

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mitchell Early Childhood Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 0.4 mi 6.0
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 7.4
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 6.3
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 1.0 mi 3.5
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 1.4 mi 5.5
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 1.2 mi 6.8
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 5.0
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 3.8
Weeks Middle School Des Moines 1.7 mi 4.2
Howe Elementary Des Moines 1.8 mi 5.7
Lincoln High School Des Moines 2.0 mi 3.8
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 1.7 mi 4.7
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines 1.9 mi 6.5
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 4.8
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.7 mi 6.5
McKinley Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 4.2
Brody Middle School Des Moines 2.4 mi 2.8
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 7.1
Walnut Street School Des Moines 3.6 mi 5.0
Downtown School Des Moines 3.7 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,473

Median Home Value

$213,800

Median Rent

$1,043/mo

Population

31,283

College Educated

36.4%

Homeownership

68.3%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mitchell Early Childhood Center has a median household income of $74,473. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,043/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mitchell Early Childhood Center

What grades does Mitchell Early Childhood Center serve?

Mitchell Early Childhood Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Pre-K.

How many students attend Mitchell Early Childhood Center?

Mitchell Early Childhood Center has an enrollment of approximately 340 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mitchell Early Childhood Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Mitchell Early Childhood Center is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mitchell Early Childhood Center rank in IA?

Mitchell Early Childhood Center is ranked #1060 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mitchell Early Childhood Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Mitchell Early Childhood Center has a composite rating of 5.0 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.

Is Mitchell Early Childhood Center a charter school?

No, Mitchell Early Childhood Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mitchell Early Childhood Center a Title I school?

No, Mitchell Early Childhood Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mitchell Early Childhood Center?

72.4% of students at Mitchell Early Childhood Center 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 – Pre-K
Enrollment
340
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.4%
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
#41 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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