Needs Improvement
#1215 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
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
408
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,215 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#50 of 64
public schools
In district
#45 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Park Ave Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lincoln High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Union Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Park Ave Elementary School
Park Ave Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Park Ave Elementary School serves approximately 408 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Park Ave Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,215 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Park Ave Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
39% of students at Park Ave 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
Park Ave Elementary School — Students at Park Ave Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
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 35 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.6 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 | 2.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 2.6 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 2.1 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 6.0 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.1 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.0 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.2 |
| Oak Park Des Moines, IA | 3.0 |
| Prescott Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 3.0 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin, IA | 3.0 |
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 ranks #1,215 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Park Ave Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Park Ave Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Park Ave Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Park Ave Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.2%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8429
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #45 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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