Average
#1039 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ruby Van Meter
School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
710 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#41 of 64
public schools
Iowa schools
#30 of 36
In district
#37 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Ruby Van Meter
Ruby Van Meter is a regular public school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 112 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The school has 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse range of learners.
Ruby Van Meter's MySchoolScout rating is 2.4 out of 10, placing it in the third percentile among Iowa schools with a ranking of 1249 out of 1288. The school's academic score is also low at 1.0 out of 10, indicating areas where significant improvement could benefit students. In terms of proficiency rates, only 9% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and just 3% in Math, with no students reaching the proficiency mark in Science.
Despite these challenges, Ruby Van Meter is committed to fostering a supportive environment focused on student development and growth. The school's small size allows for tailored educational experiences and close-knit community connections. Located in a mid-size city, it offers convenient access to local resources while maintaining a tight-knit feel within the larger urban setting.
Ruby Van Meter stands as a beacon of hope and progress in its neighborhood, working diligently to uplift students and their families through dedicated teaching staff and personalized learning opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 112 students, Ruby Van Meter is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, Ruby Van Meter offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ruby Van Meter — Students at Ruby Van Meter score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 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: 2.2/10.
How Ruby Van Meter Compares
See how Ruby Van Meter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 5% (2022).
Location
710 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ruby Van Meter may also want to explore other schools in the area. BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,720
Median Home Value
$274,400
Median Rent
$1,057/mo
Population
15,492
College Educated
61.9%
Homeownership
64.5%
Avg Commute
15.8 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ruby Van Meter has a median household income of $82,720. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,400, with a median rent of $1,057/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City, IA | 5.6 |
| Oelwein Online School Oelwein, IA | 3.9 |
| IGNITE Online & Personalized Learning Shenandoah, IA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ruby Van Meter
What grades does Ruby Van Meter serve?
Ruby Van Meter serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Ruby Van Meter?
Ruby Van Meter has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruby Van Meter?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruby Van Meter is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ruby Van Meter rank in IA?
Ruby Van Meter is ranked #1039 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ruby Van Meter's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruby Van Meter has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Ruby Van Meter?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruby Van Meter has 3.0% math proficiency and 8.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ruby Van Meter a charter school?
No, Ruby Van Meter is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ruby Van Meter a Title I school?
No, Ruby Van Meter is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruby Van Meter?
58.9% of students at Ruby Van Meter 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 – 12th
- Enrollment
- 112
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.9%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8220
- 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
- #37 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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