Average
#838 of 1,280 schools in IA
Samuelson Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
3929 Bel-Aire Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#838 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#15 of 64
public schools
In district
#11 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Samuelson Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hoover High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Samuelson Elementary School
Samuelson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Samuelson Elementary School serves approximately 384 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Samuelson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #838 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Samuelson Elementary School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Samuelson Elementary School — Students at Samuelson Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
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: 5.9/10.
How Samuelson Elementary School Compares
See how Samuelson 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
3929 Bel-Aire Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Samuelson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 2.7 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 3.0 |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Lawson Elementary School Johnston | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,473
Median Home Value
$213,800
Median Rent
$1,043/mo
Population
31,283
College Educated
36.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
37.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| E A Kreft Primary School Council Bluffs, IA | 5.7 |
| Edison Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 5.7 |
| Franklin Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 5.7 |
| Harlan Primary Harlan, IA | 5.7 |
| Janesville Elementary School Janesville, IA | 5.7 |
| Nashua-Plainfield Elementary School Nashua, IA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Samuelson Elementary School
What grades does Samuelson Elementary School serve?
Samuelson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Samuelson Elementary School?
Samuelson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Samuelson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Samuelson Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Samuelson Elementary School rank in IA?
Samuelson Elementary School ranks #838 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Samuelson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Samuelson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Samuelson Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Samuelson Elementary School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Samuelson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Samuelson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Samuelson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Samuelson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Samuelson Elementary School?
72.9% of students at Samuelson 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
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.3%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8441
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #11 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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