Needs Improvement
#1263 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
2.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,263 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#61 of 64
public schools
In district
#56 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Shortlisting around Ruby Van Meter?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Ruby Van Meter
School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Callanan Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Greenwood Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ruby Van Meter
Ruby Van Meter is a public school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Ruby Van Meter serves approximately 112 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 5.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Ruby Van Meter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,263 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Ruby Van Meter show 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
- This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.2
- IA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 112 students, Ruby Van Meter is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 5.1:1 students to teachers, Ruby Van Meter sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
59% of students at Ruby Van Meter 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ruby Van Meter — Students at Ruby Van Meter score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
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 15 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: 2.3/10.
How Ruby Van Meter Compares
See how Ruby Van Meter performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 HOLY TRINITY (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Merrill Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 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 | 4.3 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 2.1 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 2.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Oelwein Online School Oelwein, IA | 2.6 |
| PATHWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalona, IA | 3.3 |
| IGNITE Online & Personalized Learning Shenandoah, IA | 3.5 |
| Prairie Edge Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.5 |
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 ranks #1,263 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ruby Van Meter's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruby Van Meter has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 Ruby Van Meter?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ruby Van Meter has 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.9%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8220
- 4-Year Graduation
- <50%
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #56 of 59
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.