Excellent
#9 of 864 schools in NM
Top 1% in state
Des Moines Elementary
Elementary School · DES MOINES
500 DES MOINES AVENUE, Des Moines, NM 88418
Enrollment
79
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
79
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#1 of 2
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#8 of 468
In district
#1 of 2
DES MOINES
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Des Moines Elementary
Des Moines Elementary serves 79 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Des Moines, New Mexico. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9 to 1, class sizes stay small enough that individual instruction is the norm rather than the exception — a practical advantage that shows up directly in the school's performance data. The numbers stand on their own.
Des Moines Elementary earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, with an academic subscore of 9.9 and a growth score of 8.7, placing it in the Exceptional tier. That performance ranks it #9 out of 864 public schools statewide — outperforming 99% of New Mexico schools regardless of size, type, or funding level. Narrow the lens to elementary schools only, and it ranks #8 out of 468, confirming the strength holds up across every comparison.
For families weighing their options, this is what high-performing public elementary education looks like in New Mexico: a small school where 79 students benefit from scores that rival any in the state and a teacher-to-student ratio most larger schools can't match.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 79 students, Des Moines Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Des Moines Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Des Moines Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Des Moines Elementary — Students at Des Moines Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Des Moines Elementary Compares
See how Des Moines Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 69.5% (2019) to 90% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022).
Location
500 DES MOINES AVENUE, Des Moines, NM 88418
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Des Moines Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DES MOINES HIGH (rated 7.0/10), a more accessible option. Another option is Branson School (rated 6.3/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Branson), a more accessible option. Additionally, Branson School Online (rated 6.3/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Branson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
5 within 42.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DES MOINES HIGH Des Moines | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Branson School Branson | 18.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Branson School Online Branson | 18.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Kim Elementary School Kim | 42.9 mi | — |
| Kim Undivided High School Kim | 42.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88418 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,792
Median Home Value
$160,900
Median Rent
$713/mo
Population
493
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
66.9%
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Des Moines Elementary has a median household income of $74,792. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $160,900, with a median rent of $713/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| RITA A. MARQUEZ ELEMENTARY Anton Chico, NM | 9.3 |
| QUEMADO ELEMENTARY Quemado, NM | 9.4 |
| CIMARRON ELEMENTARY Cimarron, NM | 9.2 |
| RED RIVER VALLEY CHARTER SCHOOL Red River, NM | 9.2 |
| CLIFF ELEMENTARY Cliff, NM | 9.5 |
| ARREY ELEMENTARY Arrey, NM | 9.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Des Moines Elementary
What grades does Des Moines Elementary serve?
Des Moines Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Des Moines Elementary?
Des Moines Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 79 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Des Moines Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Des Moines Elementary is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Des Moines Elementary rank in NM?
Des Moines Elementary is ranked #9 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Des Moines Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Des Moines Elementary has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Des Moines Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Des Moines Elementary has 69.7% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Des Moines Elementary a charter school?
No, Des Moines Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Des Moines Elementary a Title I school?
No, Des Moines Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Des Moines Elementary?
15.2% of students at Des Moines Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 79
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (575) 278-2611
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DES MOINES- District Enrollment
- 137
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,675
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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.
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