Below Average
#1130 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
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,130 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#37 of 64
public schools
In district
#32 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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Perkins Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Trinity
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Roosevelt High School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Perkins Elementary School
Perkins Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Perkins Elementary School serves approximately 444 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Perkins Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,130 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Perkins Elementary School show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Perkins 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
Perkins Elementary School — Students at Perkins Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
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 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: 3.5/10.
How Perkins Elementary School Compares
See how Perkins 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
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, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 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 | 4.1 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 2.5 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.7 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.0 |
| Wright Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.0 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.1 |
| Richard O. Jacobson Elementary School Belmond, IA | 4.1 |
| Unity Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.1 |
| Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove, IA | 3.9 |
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 ranks #1,130 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Perkins Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Perkins Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Perkins Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Perkins Elementary School has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.1%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8430
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #32 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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