Below Average
#1113 of 1,280 schools in IA
Morris Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1401 Geil Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,113 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#32 of 64
public schools
In district
#28 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Morris Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Christ the King School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wright Elementary School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Morris Elementary School
Morris Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Morris Elementary School serves approximately 498 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Morris Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,113 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Morris Elementary School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Morris 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Morris Elementary School — Students at Morris Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.5/10.
How Morris Elementary School Compares
See how Morris Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1401 Geil Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Morris Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lakewood Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), which scores notably higher. Another option is DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 2.6 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 2.5 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 3.5 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 3.3 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 2.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Wilson Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.2 |
| Hoover Elementary School West Branch, IA | 4.3 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
| Truman Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.3 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Morris Elementary School
What grades does Morris Elementary School serve?
Morris Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Morris Elementary School?
Morris Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 498 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Morris Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Morris Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Morris Elementary School rank in IA?
Morris Elementary School ranks #1,113 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Morris Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Morris Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Morris Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Morris Elementary School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Morris Elementary School a charter school?
No, Morris Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Morris Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Morris Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Morris Elementary School?
81.5% of students at Morris 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 498
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.7%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8421
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #28 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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