Average
#859 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
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#29 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#471 of 662
In district
#25 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Samuelson Elementary School
Samuelson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Samuelson has an enrollment of 384 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Samuelson shows areas for growth, with the school ranked 39th percentile among Iowa’s schools.
On average, 50% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 53% in Math, while proficiency in Science stands at 35%. Despite these challenges, the dedicated teachers work hard to support each student's development. Located in a mid-size city setting, Samuelson Elementary is situated near residential areas along Bel-Aire Road.
While specific neighborhood details are not available, the school community works closely with local families to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Samuelson Elementary School — Students at Samuelson Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
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 13 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: 4.1/10.
How Samuelson Elementary School Compares
See how Samuelson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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 7.7/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monroe Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 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 | 5.1 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Meredith Middle School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY TRINITY Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Moore Elementary School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Perkins Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Urbandale High School Urbandale | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Johnston Middle School Johnston | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Samuelson Elementary School has a median household income of $74,473. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,043/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.8 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee, IA | 5.8 |
| Erskine Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.8 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.8 |
| Neil Armstrong Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 5.8 |
| North Tama Elementary Traer, IA | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #859 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Samuelson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Samuelson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Samuelson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Samuelson Elementary School has 52.6% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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 – 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
- Phone
- (515) 242-8441
- 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
- #25 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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