Average
#1585 of 2,228 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
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,585 of 2,228
In Des Moines
#4 of 8
public schools
In district
#13 of 34
Highline School District
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Des Moines Elementary
Elementary School in Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Parkside Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mount Rainier High School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Des Moines Elementary
Des Moines Elementary is a public elementary school in Des Moines, WA, part of Highline School District. Des Moines Elementary serves approximately 507 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Des Moines Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,585 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Des Moines Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 5.4
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Des Moines Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 32 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: 4.6/10.
How Des Moines Elementary Compares
See how Des Moines Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marvista Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Normandy Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.1 miles away), 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 | 3.5 |
| Mount Rainier High School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Pacific Middle School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Midway Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| River Ridge Elementary Seatac | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Sunnycrest Elementary School Kent | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Mark Twain Elementary School Federal Way | 2.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Maritime High School Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| North Hill Elementary Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Star Lake Elementary School Kent | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Evergreen Middle School Kent | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Marvista Elementary Normandy Park | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Nautilus K-8 School Federal Way | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Valhalla Elementary School Auburn | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chinook Elementary School Auburn, WA | 5.3 |
| College Place Elementary Lynnwood, WA | 5.3 |
| Columbia Valley Elementary Vancouver, WA | 5.3 |
| Horizon Elementary Everett, WA | 5.3 |
| Linwood Elementary Spokane, WA | 5.3 |
| Longfellow Elementary Pasco, WA | 5.3 |
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 ranks #1,585 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Des Moines Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Des Moines Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Des Moines Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Des Moines Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.2%
- Phone
- (206) 631-3700
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #13 of 34
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