Needs Improvement
#1258 of 1,280 schools in IA
Wright Elementary School
Elementary School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
5001 SW 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#60 of 64
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#649 of 662
In district
#55 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Wright Elementary School
Wright Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 244 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, the school offers smaller class sizes that support individualized attention for each child. The dedicated teaching staff includes 22 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with parents to ensure their children receive the best possible education.
Wright Elementary’s academic performance is at the lower end of state rankings; it currently stands at #1136 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, with room for improvement. Test scores show that 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 47% in math, while proficiency rates in science stand at 36%. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to enhance overall academic achievement.
The school is situated in a mid-size city, offering students access to diverse community resources and activities. Despite its challenges, Wright Elementary School remains committed to providing a supportive learning environment for all of its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Wright Elementary School — Students at Wright Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.5/10.
How Wright Elementary School Compares
See how Wright Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
5001 SW 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wright Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Lincoln High School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 2.8 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 3.2 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,036
Median Home Value
$164,000
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
35,349
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wright Elementary School has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.5 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge, IA | 3.6 |
| Garfield Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.6 |
| Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park, IA | 3.4 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 3.4 |
| Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison, IA | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wright Elementary School
What grades does Wright Elementary School serve?
Wright Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Wright Elementary School?
Wright Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wright Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Wright Elementary School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wright Elementary School rank in IA?
Wright Elementary School is ranked #1258 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Wright Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Wright Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Wright Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wright Elementary School has 52.0% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Wright Elementary School a charter school?
No, Wright Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wright Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Wright Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wright Elementary School?
67.2% of students at Wright 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
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-8442
- 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
- #55 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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