Average
#1340 of 2,225 schools in WA
Des Moines Elementary
Elementary School · Highline School District
23801 16th Avenue South, Des Moines, WA 98198
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#4 of 7
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#882 of 1,202
In district
#18 of 34
Highline School District
About Des Moines Elementary
Des Moines Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban community of Des Moines, Washington. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 507 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, it offers a supportive learning environment.
Des Moines Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, placing the school in the 47th percentile among Washington state schools when ranked by overall academic performance. The school's average proficiency rates are 42% for ELA/Reading and 38% for Math, with a stronger showing at 54% proficient or above in Science. While Des Moines Elementary has room for academic growth, it focuses on providing students with a well-rounded education that includes various subjects and extracurricular activities.
The school is situated in a large suburban area near Seattle, offering easy access to resources within the community while maintaining a close-knit feel typical of local schools. Des Moines Elementary is part of a vibrant suburban setting where families can engage actively with their children's educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Des Moines Elementary — Students at Des Moines Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.
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 declined from 47% (2019) to 36.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 39.4% (2024).
Location
23801 16th Avenue South, Des Moines, WA 98198
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Des Moines Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Hill Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marvista Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Normandy Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Star Lake Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Kent), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Parkside Elementary Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Mount Rainier High School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Pacific Middle School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Midway Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.3 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Cascade Public Schools Des Moines | 1.1 mi | — |
| HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| K-SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Woodmont K-8 School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| River Ridge Elementary Seatac | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Maritime High School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| North Hill Elementary Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Star Lake Elementary School Kent | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Evergreen Middle School Kent | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Marvista Elementary Normandy Park | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Nautilus K-8 School Federal Way | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Valhalla Elementary School Auburn | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98198 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,938
Median Home Value
$527,100
Median Rent
$1,770/mo
Population
39,815
College Educated
31.5%
Homeownership
54.3%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Des Moines Elementary has a median household income of $83,938. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $527,100, with a median rent of $1,770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Wapato, WA | 5.9 |
| Barnes Elementary Kelso, WA | 5.9 |
| Central Elementary Ferndale, WA | 5.9 |
| Central Elementary School Sedro-Woolley, WA | 5.9 |
| Chinook Elementary School Auburn, WA | 5.9 |
| Garden Heights Elementary Moses Lake, WA | 5.9 |
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 5th.
How many students attend Des Moines Elementary?
Des Moines Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 507 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Des Moines Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Des Moines Elementary is 18.1:1. 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 WA?
Des Moines Elementary is ranked #1340 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Des Moines Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Des Moines Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 38.1% math proficiency and 41.8% 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?
65.5% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,161/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 507
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 631-3700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #18 of 34
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
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.