Average
#476 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 37% in state
Phillips Elementary
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
1701 Lay St, Des Moines, IA 50317
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
254
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#13 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#293 of 662
In district
#11 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Phillips Elementary
Phillips Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, Phillips Elementary has an enrollment of 254 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is within a mid-size city, offering students easy access to community resources and cultural activities.
Phillips Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where every child can grow academically and socially. With an overall MySchoolScout rating of 5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 759th out of 1288 schools in Iowa, there is room for academic improvement. In recent assessments, 48% of students were proficient or above in ELA/reading, 54% in math, and 32% in science.
While Phillips Elementary has areas to develop in terms of test scores, it continues to work diligently on student development and engagement. The school’s location in the heart of Des Moines provides a vibrant urban setting for its students, offering them a wide range of extracurricular opportunities and community involvement.
Score Breakdown
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Phillips Elementary — Students at Phillips Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
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 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: 6.5/10.
How Phillips Elementary Compares
See how Phillips Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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 Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cattell Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 7.8 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 3.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Phillips Elementary has a median household income of $61,569. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,200, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Broadway Elementary School Denison, IA | 6.8 |
| Davis Elementary School Grinnell, IA | 6.8 |
| Fairview Elementary School Grinnell, IA | 6.8 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.8 |
| Keystone Elementary School Keystone, IA | 6.8 |
| Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #476 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Phillips Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Phillips Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Phillips Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Phillips Elementary has 53.7% math proficiency and 48.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 254
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8431
- 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
- #11 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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