Average
#664 of 1,280 schools in IA
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
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#20 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#376 of 662
In district
#17 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Willard Elementary School
Willard Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Des Moines, Iowa. With an enrollment of 282 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, Willard provides a relatively small class size that supports individual attention for each child. The school has 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.
Willard Elementary's academic performance shows room for improvement, with 54% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 59% proficient or above in Math, while only 42% are proficient or above in Science. The school ranks at the 30th percentile among Iowa schools and has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10, indicating an area for growth. Willard Elementary is situated in a mid-size city setting within Des Moines.
While specific neighborhood data isn't available, it's clear that Willard plays a vital role in the local community by providing education and support to families nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Willard Elementary School — Students at Willard Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 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: 5.6/10.
How Willard Elementary School Compares
See how Willard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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 notably higher. Another option is Garton Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, River Woods Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 4.6 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Goodrell Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| River Woods Elementary School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| East High School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 3.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.7 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 Willard 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport, IA | 6.3 |
| Bedford Elementary School Bedford, IA | 6.3 |
| Clayton Ridge Elementary School Garnavillo, IA | 6.3 |
| Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein, IA | 6.3 |
| Guthrie Center Elementary School Guthrie Center, IA | 6.3 |
| Lenox Elementary School Lenox, IA | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #664 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Willard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Willard Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Willard Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willard Elementary School has 59.2% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 282
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8439
- 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
- #17 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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