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Below Average

#1104 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

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,104 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#29 of 64

public schools

In district

#25 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Pleasant Hill Elementary School

4.3/10

Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mckee Elementary School

2.6/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hoyt Middle School

3.6/10

2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pleasant Hill Elementary School

Pleasant Hill Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Pleasant Hill Elementary School serves approximately 211 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Pleasant Hill Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,104 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Pleasant Hill Elementary School show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Pleasant Hill 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 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism31.3%

Pleasant Hill Elementary School — Students at Pleasant Hill Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

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 70.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 69.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
47%
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: 2.2/10.

How Pleasant Hill Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
14th percentile in IA
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Delaware Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Four Mile Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.1 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 2.6
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 2.3 mi 3.6
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 3.4
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 4.6
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 7.4
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.4 mi 5.0
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 2.4 mi 7.5
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 3.6 mi 8.9
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 3.1 mi 3.6
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 3.4 mi 2.4
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 3.6 mi 5.0
Clay Elementary Altoona 3.7 mi 5.4
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 3.6 mi 4.7
Garton Elementary Des Moines 3.7 mi 6.0
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 4.4 mi 4.7
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 4.6 mi 4.9
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 3.8 mi 8.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 3.8 mi 5.0
Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill 3.9 mi 5.2
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill 4.1 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hoover Elementary School Dubuque, IA 4.3
Northwood Pre-School Ames, IA 4.3
Carson Elementary Carson, IA 4.2
Margaretta Carey Elementary School Waverly, IA 4.2
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona, IA 4.4
Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Elementary Exira, IA 4.4

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 ranks #1,104 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pleasant Hill Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pleasant Hill Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Pleasant Hill Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pleasant Hill Elementary School has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#25 of 59

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