Skip to main content

Average

#883 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

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#883 of 1,280

In Des Moines

#17 of 64

public schools

In district

#13 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Wright Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Wright Elementary School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Christ the King School

6.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Morris Elementary School

4.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wright Elementary School

Wright Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. Wright Elementary School serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Wright Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #883 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Wright Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Wright Elementary 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.

41% of students at Wright 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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,518
Chronic Absenteeism41.4%

Wright Elementary School — Students at Wright Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
42%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Wright Elementary School Compares

See how Wright Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in IA
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 4.2
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines 1.0 mi 6.5
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 1.0 mi 2.6
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 1.1 mi 3.4
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 1.3 mi 3.1
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 1.1 mi 4.3
Lincoln High School Des Moines 1.6 mi 2.5
Brody Middle School Des Moines 1.5 mi 3.3
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 1.9 mi 4.9
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 1.7 mi 3.5
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 3.1
Howe Elementary Des Moines 2.1 mi 4.6
Weeks Middle School Des Moines 2.1 mi 4.1
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 2.5 mi 6.5
Jackson Elementary School Des Moines 2.3 mi 3.5
McKinley Elementary School Des Moines 2.8 mi 3.3
Downtown School Des Moines 3.1 mi 5.8
Virtual Campus Des Moines 3.1 mi 2.1
Walnut Street School Des Moines 3.2 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton, IA 5.5
ORANGE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orange City, IA 5.5
Pekin Elementary School Packwood, IA 5.5
River Valley Elementary Washta, IA 5.5
Wapello Elementary School Wapello, IA 5.5
Adams Elementary School Carroll, IA 5.6

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 ranks #883 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Wright Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wright Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Wright Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wright Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.4%

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#13 of 59

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.