Needs Improvement
#1235 of 1,280 schools in IA
Park Ave Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
3141 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#59 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#636 of 662
In district
#54 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Park Ave Elementary School
Park Ave Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. With an enrollment of 408 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The campus, situated at 3141 SW 9th St, houses 28 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a nurturing learning environment.
Park Ave Elementary School’s academic performance is currently rated at 2.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it 5th percentile among Iowa's schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 41%, with math at 45% and science at 39%. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is focusing on student development and academic growth.
The school is set in a mid-size city, making it part of Des Moines’s vibrant educational landscape. Despite limited specific neighborhood data available, Park Ave Elementary School serves its community by providing essential elementary education to local families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Park Ave Elementary School — Students at Park Ave Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How Park Ave Elementary School Compares
See how Park Ave Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
3141 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Park Ave Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 3.8 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
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 Park Ave 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 |
|---|---|
| Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond, IA | 3.8 |
| GMG Elementary School Green Mountain, IA | 3.7 |
| Neil Armstrong Elementary School Eldridge, IA | 3.7 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer, IA | 3.9 |
| James Wilson Grimes School Burlington, IA | 3.9 |
| McKinley Elementary School Muscatine, IA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Park Ave Elementary School
What grades does Park Ave Elementary School serve?
Park Ave Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Park Ave Elementary School?
Park Ave Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 408 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Park Ave Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Park Ave Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Park Ave Elementary School rank in IA?
Park Ave Elementary School is ranked #1235 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Park Ave Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Park Ave Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Park Ave Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Park Ave Elementary School has 45.1% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Park Ave Elementary School a charter school?
No, Park Ave Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Park Ave Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Park Ave Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Park Ave Elementary School?
75.2% of students at Park Ave 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
- 408
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8429
- 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
- #54 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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