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Below Average

#1062 of 1,280 schools in IA

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

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,062 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#26 of 64

public schools

In district

#22 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

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Monroe Elementary School

4.6/10

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

Holy Trinity

6.7/10

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

Perkins Elementary School

4.0/10

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

About Monroe Elementary School

Monroe Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Monroe Elementary School serves approximately 377 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Monroe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,062 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Monroe Elementary School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Monroe 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 Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism46.4%

Monroe Elementary School — Students at Monroe Elementary School score 43% 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

88.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 38.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
36%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
47.2%
ELA
39%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Monroe Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
17th percentile in IA
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.4%

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

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. Moore Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY TRINITY (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edmunds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.0
King Elementary School Des Moines 1.1 mi 3.2
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines 1.4 mi 2.7
Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines 1.1 mi 3.0
Callanan Middle School Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.3
Ruby Van Meter Des Moines 1.7 mi 2.5
Hubbell Elementary Des Moines 1.7 mi 5.3
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 1.7 mi 6.0
Roosevelt High School Des Moines 1.8 mi 4.1
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.7
Meredith Middle School Des Moines 1.8 mi 5.5
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 1.7 mi 4.7
Hoover High School Des Moines 2.0 mi 4.2
Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.0
Moore Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 6.9
Downtown School Des Moines 2.3 mi 5.8
Virtual Campus Des Moines 2.3 mi 2.1
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines 1.8 mi 3.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.6
Carter Lake Elementary School Carter Lake, IA 4.6
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert, IA 4.6
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines, IA 4.6
Howe Elementary Des Moines, IA 4.6
Northstar Elementary School Knoxville, IA 4.6

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 ranks #1,062 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Monroe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Monroe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Monroe Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Monroe Elementary School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.4%

District

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

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