Average
#761 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
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#761 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#13 of 64
public schools
In district
#9 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Walnut Street School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Downtown School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Virtual Campus
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Walnut Street School
Walnut Street School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Walnut Street School serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Walnut Street School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #761 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Walnut Street School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Walnut Street School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
34% of students at Walnut Street 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Walnut Street School — Students at Walnut Street School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
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 35 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: 8.0/10.
How Walnut Street School Compares
See how Walnut Street School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edmunds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 2.1 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 2.5 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 3.2 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 2.5 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Callanan Middle School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 2.4 |
| North High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 6.0 |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City, IA | 6.0 |
| ROCK VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Valley, IA | 6.0 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL De Witt, IA | 6.0 |
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 ranks #761 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Walnut Street School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walnut Street School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Walnut Street School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Walnut Street School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.4%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8438
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #9 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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