Very Good
#393 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 31% in state
Willard Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2941 Dean Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#393 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#4 of 64
public schools
In district
#2 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Willard Elementary School
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Stowe Elementary School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Phillips Elementary
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Willard Elementary School
Willard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Willard Elementary School serves approximately 282 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Willard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #393 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Willard Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 4.6
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Willard 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Willard Elementary School — Students at Willard Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.9%
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: 8.2/10.
How Willard Elementary School Compares
See how Willard Elementary 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
2941 Dean Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garton Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 2.6 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 2.4 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.1 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 2.4 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 3.3 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 3.5 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.7 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 |
|---|---|
| Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City, IA | 7.4 |
| Edgewood-Colesburg Elementary School Edgewood, IA | 7.4 |
| Indian Creek Elementary School Marion, IA | 7.4 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale, IA | 7.4 |
| SS MARY AND MATHIAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muscatine, IA | 7.4 |
| Sergeant Bluff-Luton Primary School Sergeant Bluff, IA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willard Elementary School
What grades does Willard Elementary School serve?
Willard Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Willard Elementary School?
Willard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willard Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Willard Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willard Elementary School rank in IA?
Willard Elementary School ranks #393 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Willard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Willard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Willard Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Willard Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Willard Elementary School a charter school?
No, Willard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willard Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Willard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willard Elementary School?
81.9% of students at Willard 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 282
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (515) 242-8439
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #2 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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