Below Average
#1047 of 1,280 schools in IA
River Woods Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2929 SE 22nd St, Des Moines, IA 50320
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,047 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#23 of 64
public schools
In district
#19 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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River Woods Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jackson Elementary School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Weeks Middle School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About River Woods Elementary School
River Woods Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. River Woods Elementary School serves approximately 505 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. River Woods Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,047 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for River Woods Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
35% of students at River Woods 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
River Woods Elementary School — Students at River Woods Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.4%
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
→ 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: 3.9/10.
How River Woods Elementary School Compares
See how River Woods 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
2929 SE 22nd St, Des Moines, IA 50320
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River Woods Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.6 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| East High School Des Moines | 3.0 mi | 2.4 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 3.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 2.5 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 3.5 mi | 3.4 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,710
Median Home Value
$207,700
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
Population
23,903
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
75.5%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
34.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Elementary School Clinton, IA | 4.7 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.7 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny, IA | 4.7 |
| Tipton Elementary School Tipton, IA | 4.7 |
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School Clarion, IA | 4.8 |
| Denison Elementary School Denison, IA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River Woods Elementary School
What grades does River Woods Elementary School serve?
River Woods Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend River Woods Elementary School?
River Woods Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 505 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River Woods Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at River Woods 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 River Woods Elementary School rank in IA?
River Woods Elementary School ranks #1,047 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is River Woods Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
River Woods Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 River Woods Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, River Woods Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is River Woods Elementary School a charter school?
No, River Woods Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is River Woods Elementary School a Title I school?
No, River Woods Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Woods Elementary School?
80.4% of students at River Woods 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
- 505
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.4%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8433
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #19 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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