Very Good
#310 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 24% in state
Monroe Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2250 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#6 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#199 of 662
In district
#4 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Monroe Elementary School
Monroe Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 377 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Monroe Elementary currently stands at a MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10, placing it in the 27th percentile among Iowa schools.
Test scores show that 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 39% in Math, and 29% in Science. While these numbers indicate there is room for academic growth, Monroe Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment to help every child succeed. The school is situated in the heart of Des Moines, a mid-size city that offers a rich array of cultural and educational opportunities beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Monroe 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
View breakdown
Monroe Elementary School — Students at Monroe Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.9%
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: 9.4/10.
How Monroe Elementary School Compares
See how Monroe Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
2250 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Monroe Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is King Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hubbell Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
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 Monroe Elementary School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bryant Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 7.3 |
| Cardinal Elementary School Maquoketa, IA | 7.3 |
| Cody Elementary School Leclaire, IA | 7.3 |
| Cora B Darling Elementary Postville, IA | 7.3 |
| Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora, IA | 7.3 |
| Lambert Elementary School Manchester, IA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Monroe Elementary School
What grades does Monroe Elementary School serve?
Monroe Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Monroe Elementary School?
Monroe Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Monroe Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Monroe Elementary School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Monroe Elementary School rank in IA?
Monroe Elementary School is ranked #310 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Monroe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Monroe Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Monroe Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Monroe Elementary School has 38.6% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Monroe Elementary School a charter school?
No, Monroe Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Monroe Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Monroe Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Monroe Elementary School?
88.9% of students at Monroe 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
- Walk Score
- 39 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 33 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,846/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 377
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8425
- 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
- #4 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
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.