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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Math vs. State Avg-63.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-70.4 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-52.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile0th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Ruby Van Meter — Students at Ruby Van Meter score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 3.0%
School
State
67.8%
ELA Proficiency 8.7%
School
State
72.8%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2025
ELA
4.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.1/10
19th percentile in IA
Academic
1.1/10
1.1/10
Growth
2.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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.

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 – 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
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
#37 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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