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Below Average

#1137 of 1,280 schools in IA

Stowe Elementary School

Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

1411 E 33rd St, Des Moines, IA 50317

Enrollment

311

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#49 of 64

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#588 of 662

In district

#45 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Stowe Elementary School

Stowe Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, enrolling 311 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1 and 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. Stowe Elementary's academic performance shows areas for improvement, with an ELA proficiency rate of 40%, math at 33%, and science at 32%.

While these scores indicate that there is room for growth in academics, the school remains dedicated to nurturing students' development. Stowe Elementary School sits in a mid-size city setting within Des Moines, providing its students with access to diverse community resources. Whether it’s local parks, museums, or cultural events, the neighborhood offers plenty of opportunities for enriching educational experiences outside the classroom.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-49.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37.1 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Stowe Elementary School — Students at Stowe Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
74.6%
ELA Proficiency 39.9%
School
State
72.3%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
34.8%
ELA
44.4%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Stowe Elementary School Compares

See how Stowe Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in IA
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

1411 E 33rd St, Des Moines, IA 50317

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stowe Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cattell Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 0.5 mi 5.0
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 0.8 mi 5.1
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 1.1 mi 6.3
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 1.1 mi 6.8
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 1.3 mi 4.0
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 1.5 mi 4.3
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 1.4 mi 4.9
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 1.7 mi 5.0
Garton Elementary Des Moines 1.7 mi 7.8
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 5.4
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.7 mi 4.7
JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines 2.0 mi 8.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines 2.4 mi 4.4
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 2.8 mi 6.2
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.5 mi 7.0
East High School Des Moines 2.7 mi 4.3
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 3.5 mi 7.1
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.9 mi 8.4
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 3.0 mi 7.2
Carver Elementary Des Moines 3.2 mi 6.6

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 Stowe 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
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert, IA 4.6
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.6
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City, IA 4.6
Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls, IA 4.6
Grant Elementary School Muscatine, IA 4.5
James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty, IA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stowe Elementary School

What grades does Stowe Elementary School serve?

Stowe Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Stowe Elementary School?

Stowe Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stowe Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Stowe Elementary School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stowe Elementary School rank in IA?

Stowe Elementary School is ranked #1137 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Stowe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stowe Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Stowe Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stowe Elementary School has 33.4% math proficiency and 39.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Stowe Elementary School a charter school?

No, Stowe Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Stowe Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Stowe Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stowe Elementary School?

77.8% of students at Stowe 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.

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 – 5th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.8%
Type
regular
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
#45 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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