Average
#1057 of 1,280 schools in IA
Perkins Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
4301 College, Des Moines, IA 50311
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#42 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#552 of 662
In district
#38 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
About Perkins Elementary School
Perkins Elementary School is a regular public school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 444 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that can foster closer teacher-student relationships. The teaching staff consists of 29 full-time equivalent educators dedicated to providing quality education.
Perkins Elementary School's academic performance shows areas for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of 898 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 30th percentile. The school's proficiency rates are at 59% for ELA/reading, 65% for math, and 55% for science, indicating that while many students are meeting academic standards, there is room for improvement in overall performance. Located within a mid-size city setting, Perkins Elementary School benefits from the resources and diversity of Des Moines.
The school community works together to support student development and strives to create an engaging learning environment where every child can thrive.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Perkins Elementary School — Students at Perkins Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.6%
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: 3.8/10.
How Perkins Elementary School Compares
See how Perkins Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
4301 College, Des Moines, IA 50311
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Perkins Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,233
Median Home Value
$228,000
Median Rent
$1,019/mo
Population
15,889
College Educated
41.4%
Homeownership
48%
Avg Commute
18.1 min
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Median Age
30.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Perkins Elementary School has a median household income of $63,233. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,000, with a median rent of $1,019/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon, IA | 5.0 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA | 5.0 |
| Emerson Elementary School Indianola, IA | 5.0 |
| Fremont-Mills Elementary School Tabor, IA | 5.0 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass, IA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Perkins Elementary School
What grades does Perkins Elementary School serve?
Perkins Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Perkins Elementary School?
Perkins Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 444 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Perkins Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Perkins Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Perkins Elementary School rank in IA?
Perkins Elementary School is ranked #1057 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Perkins Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Perkins Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Perkins Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Perkins Elementary School has 65.1% math proficiency and 59.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Perkins Elementary School a charter school?
No, Perkins Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Perkins Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Perkins Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Perkins Elementary School?
55.6% of students at Perkins 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
- 444
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8430
- 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
- #38 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.