Average
#1059 of 1,280 schools in IA
Walnut Street School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
901 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#44 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#554 of 662
In district
#40 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
About Walnut Street School
Walnut Street School is a regular public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 244 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Walnut Street School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and state ranking in the 15th percentile among Iowa schools.
In terms of standardized test scores, 58% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 51% in Math, and 59% in Science. Walnut Street School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Polk County, offering students the benefits of urban resources while fostering a close-knit community atmosphere. Despite its current academic standing, the school continues to focus on student development and engagement with an eye toward future growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Walnut Street School — Students at Walnut Street School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
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: 5.5/10.
How Walnut Street School Compares
See how Walnut Street School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
901 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walnut Street School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moulton Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, King Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown School Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| North High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50309 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,974
Median Home Value
$286,900
Median Rent
$1,166/mo
Population
9,199
College Educated
66.8%
Homeownership
11.7%
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
28.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walnut Street School has a median household income of $57,974. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,900, with a median rent of $1,166/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. 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 |
| Fremont-Mills Elementary School Tabor, IA | 5.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Manchester, IA | 5.0 |
| Blue Grass Elementary School Blue Grass, IA | 5.1 |
| Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank, IA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walnut Street School
What grades does Walnut Street School serve?
Walnut Street School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Walnut Street School?
Walnut Street School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walnut Street School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walnut Street School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walnut Street School rank in IA?
Walnut Street School is ranked #1059 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Walnut Street School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walnut Street 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 Walnut Street School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walnut Street School has 51.5% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walnut Street School a charter school?
No, Walnut Street School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walnut Street School a Title I school?
No, Walnut Street School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walnut Street School?
55.3% of students at Walnut Street 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8438
- 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
- #40 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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