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Average

#139 of 157 private schools in IA

St Joseph Elementary School

Elementary School

2107 E 33RD ST, Des Moines, IA 50317

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 60 schools in Des Moines. Learn more

Enrollment

173

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#11 of 13

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#92 of 103

About St Joseph Elementary School

ST Joseph Elementary School is a public elementary school located at 2107 E 33rd St in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 173 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout rating of 1.6 out of 10 and ranking as one of the lower-performing schools in Iowa, ST Joseph Elementary is focused on supporting each child's individual development and growth.

Located in a mid-size city setting, ST Joseph Elementary School provides a community-oriented environment that encourages student engagement and parental involvement. The school’s location within Des Moines offers students access to diverse cultural experiences and resources available in the area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 173 students, St Joseph Elementary School 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.

As a private school, St Joseph Elementary School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Joseph Elementary School compares to 57 public schools serving similar grades in Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
This School
vs
14:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
173
This School
vs
393
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.0
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 60.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 28.9% vs 0%
Black 6.9% vs 0%
Asian 2.9% vs 0%
St Joseph Elementary School Des Moines Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Joseph Elementary School (this school) 5.0
Stowe Elementary School 4.6
McKee Elementary School 5.1
Goodrell Middle School 4.3
Hoyt Middle School 4.0
Brubaker Elementary School 4.9
Phillips Elementary 6.8
Garton Elementary 7.8
Willard Elementary School 6.3
Delaware Elementary 6.2
Pleasant Hill Elementary School 5.4
Hiatt Middle School 7.0
Capitol View Elementary School 4.4
Cattell Elementary School 7.2
Madison Elementary School 3.4
Carver Elementary 6.6
Findley Elementary School 5.8
Harding Middle School 3.2
McKinley Elementary School 4.2
Moulton Elementary School 7.6
River Woods Elementary School 7.1

Showing 20 of 57 schools. View all schools in Des Moines

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C- 1.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 19.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,134.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 54%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 173
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in IA

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.4%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 60.7%
Hispanic 28.9%
Black 6.9%
Asian 2.9%
Pacific Islander 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2107 E 33RD ST, Des Moines, IA 50317

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Joseph Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cattell Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 0.5 mi 4.6
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 0.6 mi 5.1
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 1.0 mi 4.3
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 1.2 mi 5.0
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 1.0 mi 4.0
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 1.1 mi 4.9
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 1.1 mi 6.8
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 1.6 mi 6.3
Garton Elementary Des Moines 1.3 mi 7.8
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 4.7
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.1 mi 8.2
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 2.4 mi 6.2
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 5.4
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 2.6 mi 4.4
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.6 mi 7.0
East High School Des Moines 2.8 mi 4.3
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 7.2
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 3.0 mi 8.4
Madison Elementary School Des Moines 3.2 mi 3.4
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 4.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,569

Median Home Value

$165,200

Median Rent

$1,079/mo

Population

36,721

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Joseph Elementary School has a median household income of $61,569. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,200, with a median rent of $1,079/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Dayton Center Dayton, IA 5.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Manchester, IA 5.0
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank, IA 5.1
Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni, IA 5.1
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston, IA 5.1
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids, IA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Joseph Elementary School

What grades does St Joseph Elementary School serve?

St Joseph Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Joseph Elementary School?

St Joseph Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Elementary School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Joseph Elementary School rank in IA?

St Joseph Elementary School is ranked #139 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Joseph Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Joseph Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 St Joseph Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Joseph Elementary School has 68.4% math proficiency and 67.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Joseph Elementary School a private school?

Yes, St Joseph Elementary School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Joseph Elementary School a religious school?

St Joseph Elementary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

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 PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
173
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
6.1 hours
Days Per Year
186 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
POLK
Data Year
2022–2023

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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