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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+32.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,784

Des Moines Elementary — Students at Des Moines Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 69.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
90%
ELA
69.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in NM
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

6 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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