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Average

#975 of 1,280 schools in IA

Pleasant Hill Elementary School

Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

4801 E Oakwood Dr, Des Moines, IA 50327

Enrollment

211

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#36 of 64

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#514 of 662

In district

#32 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pleasant Hill Elementary School

Pleasant Hill Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban area of Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 211 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a safe and nurturing environment where young learners can thrive.

Academically, Pleasant Hill Elementary School is ranked 1002 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 22nd percentile. MySchoolScout rates the school at 4.1 out of 10 overall, with an academic score of 2.5 out of 10. In terms of proficiency levels, students perform well in ELA/Reading and Math, with 60% and 59% respectively reaching proficiency or above.

Science proficiency is slightly lower at 44%, indicating areas where the school can focus on improvement. Pleasant Hill Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area that provides its students with access to community resources and recreational opportunities. The school's dedicated staff works hard to support each student’s development, ensuring they have a strong foundation for their future academic endeavors.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Pleasant Hill Elementary School — Students at Pleasant Hill Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.9%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
62.4%
ELA
62%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Pleasant Hill Elementary School Compares

See how Pleasant Hill Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
24th percentile in IA
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

4801 E Oakwood Dr, Des Moines, IA 50327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pleasant Hill Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Phillips Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 5.1
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 2.3 mi 4.0
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 4.6
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 4.9
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.3
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.4 mi 5.0
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 2.4 mi 6.0
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 3.6 mi 6.2
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 3.1 mi 6.8
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 3.4 mi 4.3
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 3.6 mi 5.0
Clay Elementary Altoona 3.7 mi 4.9
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 3.6 mi 7.1
Garton Elementary Des Moines 3.7 mi 7.8
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 4.4 mi 4.7
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 4.6 mi 4.8
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 3.8 mi 8.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 3.8 mi 4.4
Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill 3.9 mi 5.1
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill 4.1 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,759

Median Home Value

$303,000

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

Population

12,875

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pleasant Hill Elementary School has a median household income of $90,759. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,000, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas, IA 5.4
Southeast Elementary School Waverly, IA 5.4
Winfield Elementary School Winfield, IA 5.4
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines, IA 5.5
RRMR Elementary School Rockford, IA 5.5
Starmont Elementary School Arlington, IA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pleasant Hill Elementary School

What grades does Pleasant Hill Elementary School serve?

Pleasant Hill Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Pleasant Hill Elementary School?

Pleasant Hill Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 211 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Hill Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Hill Elementary School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pleasant Hill Elementary School rank in IA?

Pleasant Hill Elementary School is ranked #975 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pleasant Hill Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pleasant Hill Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Pleasant Hill Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pleasant Hill Elementary School has 58.9% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pleasant Hill Elementary School a charter school?

No, Pleasant Hill Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pleasant Hill Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Pleasant Hill Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pleasant Hill Elementary School?

63.0% of students at Pleasant Hill 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
211
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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 methodology

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