Average
#907 of 1,280 schools in IA
Oak Park
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
3928 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#32 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#494 of 662
In district
#28 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Oak Park
Oak Park is an elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 309 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each child's educational needs. Oak Park has 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Academically, Oak Park currently ranks in the lower quartile among Iowa schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.2 out of 10. In reading and math, about 42% of students are proficient or above, while only 21% meet proficiency standards in science. These scores indicate that Oak Park has room for improvement and is likely focusing on strategies to enhance student performance.
Set in a mid-size city within Polk County, Oak Park serves a diverse community with various educational needs and backgrounds. The school's location offers easy access to local amenities and resources while maintaining a close-knit feel among students and families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Oak Park 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
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Oak Park — Students at Oak Park score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.6%
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
→ 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: 6.1/10.
How Oak Park Compares
See how Oak Park performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
3928 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Oak Park may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cornell Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Saydel High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Cornell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Woodside Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,077
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$1,077/mo
Population
18,280
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
17.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Oak Park has a median household income of $64,077. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $1,077/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 Algona, IA | 5.6 |
| Center Point-Urbana Primary School Center Point, IA | 5.6 |
| Nashua-Plainfield Elementary School Nashua, IA | 5.6 |
| South Side Elementary School Hampton, IA | 5.6 |
| Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 5.5 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Oak Park
What grades does Oak Park serve?
Oak Park serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Oak Park?
Oak Park has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Oak Park?
The student-teacher ratio at Oak Park is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Oak Park rank in IA?
Oak Park is ranked #907 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Oak Park's MySchoolScout rating?
Oak Park has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Oak Park?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oak Park has 41.6% math proficiency and 42.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Oak Park a charter school?
No, Oak Park is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Oak Park a Title I school?
No, Oak Park is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oak Park?
80.6% of students at Oak Park 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
- 309
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8428
- 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
- #28 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
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