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Needs Improvement

#1225 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

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,225 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#53 of 64

public schools

In district

#48 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

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Oak Park

3.0/10

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

Harding Middle School

2.9/10

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

Findley Elementary School

4.0/10

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

About Oak Park

Oak Park is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Oak Park serves approximately 309 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Oak Park has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,225 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Oak Park show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

45% of students at Oak Park 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 Progress1.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-25.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment6.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism44.7%

Oak Park — Students at Oak Park score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 53.0% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
51.1%
ELA
44.4%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Oak Park Compares

See how Oak Park performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
4th percentile in IA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.7%

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

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 8.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edmunds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 2.7 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 2.9
Findley Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 4.0
North High School Des Moines 1.0 mi 3.8
Madison Elementary School Des Moines 0.9 mi 2.8
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 5.3
Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines 1.6 mi 3.0
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 1.7 mi 4.7
King Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 3.2
Saydel High School Des Moines 2.2 mi 4.2
Cornell Elementary School Des Moines 2.3 mi 8.0
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.3 mi 8.4
Carver Elementary Des Moines 2.4 mi 3.8
Monroe Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 4.6
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines 2.1 mi 2.7
Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 6.0
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.5 mi 3.1
Woodside Middle School Des Moines 2.6 mi 6.8
East High School Des Moines 2.8 mi 2.4
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.7 mi 8.2
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.0
Prescott Elementary School Dubuque, IA 3.0
Tiffin Elementary Tiffin, IA 3.0
Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA 3.1
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.1
Audubon Elementary School Dubuque, IA 2.8

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 ranks #1,225 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Oak Park's MySchoolScout rating?

Oak Park has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Oak Park?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Oak Park has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.7%

District

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

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