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Needs Improvement

#1191 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

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,191 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#45 of 64

public schools

In district

#40 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

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Stowe Elementary School

3.4/10

Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Joseph Elementary School

5.0/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mckee Elementary School

2.6/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Stowe Elementary School

Stowe Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Stowe Elementary School serves approximately 311 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Stowe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,191 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Stowe Elementary School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Stowe Elementary School 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.8% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-41.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism37.6%

Stowe Elementary School — Students at Stowe Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

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 44.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
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: 3.1/10.

How Stowe Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Delaware Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 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 2.6
Willard Elementary School Des Moines 1.1 mi 7.4
Phillips Elementary Des Moines 1.1 mi 3.6
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.6
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 1.5 mi 2.4
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 1.4 mi 4.6
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 1.7 mi 5.0
Garton Elementary Des Moines 1.7 mi 6.0
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 4.3
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 5.0
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 2.8 mi 8.9
Hiatt Middle School Des Moines 2.5 mi 3.1
East High School Des Moines 2.7 mi 2.4
River Woods Elementary School Des Moines 3.5 mi 4.7
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.9 mi 8.4
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 3.0 mi 5.3
Carver Elementary Des Moines 3.2 mi 3.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines, IA 3.4
Van Buren Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.4
Black Hawk Elementary School Burlington, IA 3.5
Harlan Elementary School Mount Pleasant, IA 3.3
Harrison Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.5
Hayes Elementary School Davenport, IA 3.5

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 ranks #1,191 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Stowe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stowe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Stowe Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stowe Elementary School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.6%

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#40 of 59

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