Average
#477 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 37% in state
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
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#14 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#294 of 662
In district
#12 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Morris Elementary School
Morris Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Morris has an enrollment of 498 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting offers a supportive learning environment within the heart of a mid-size city.
Morris Elementary focuses on fostering a nurturing community where every child feels valued and supported. While academic performance shows room for growth, with proficiency rates at 48% in both ELA/Reading and Math, and 39% in Science, the school is committed to helping students reach their full potential. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 reflects ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes.
Morris Elementary School is situated in a vibrant city setting that offers numerous opportunities for enrichment beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Morris 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
Morris Elementary School — Students at Morris Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 7.8/10.
How Morris Elementary School Compares
See how Morris Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 3.5 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 4.1 mi | 3.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Morris Elementary School has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Altoona Elementary Altoona, IA | 6.8 |
| Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown, IA | 6.8 |
| Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.8 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin, IA | 6.8 |
| South Tama County Elementary School Tama, IA | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #477 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Morris Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Morris Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Morris Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Morris Elementary School has 48.0% math proficiency and 47.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8421
- 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
- #12 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.