Needs Improvement
#1174 of 1,280 schools in IA
Phillips Elementary
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1701 Lay St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,174 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#41 of 64
public schools
In district
#36 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Phillips Elementary
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Garton Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Joshua Christian Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Phillips Elementary
Phillips Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Phillips Elementary serves approximately 254 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Phillips Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,174 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Phillips Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Phillips Elementary — Students at Phillips Elementary score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.9%
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: 1.5/10.
How Phillips Elementary Compares
See how Phillips Elementary 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
1701 Lay St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Phillips Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Garton Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 2.4 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.1 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 2.4 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 2.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.6 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 2.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,569
Median Home Value
$165,200
Median Rent
$1,079/mo
Population
36,721
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
70.9%
Avg Commute
22.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
35
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA | 3.5 |
| Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.7 |
| Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 3.8 |
| Oakland Elementary Oakland, IA | 3.8 |
| Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison, IA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Phillips Elementary
What grades does Phillips Elementary serve?
Phillips Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Phillips Elementary?
Phillips Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 254 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Phillips Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Phillips Elementary is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Phillips Elementary rank in IA?
Phillips Elementary ranks #1,174 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Phillips Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Phillips Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Phillips Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Phillips Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Phillips Elementary a charter school?
No, Phillips Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Phillips Elementary a Title I school?
No, Phillips Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Phillips Elementary?
68.9% of students at Phillips Elementary 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
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.9%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8431
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #36 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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