Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Des Moines Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 64 public schools serving 31,114 students in Des Moines, IA (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,591 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Des Moines, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Des Moines, IA are Delaware Elementary School, Downtown School and Hanawalt Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Des Moines, IA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
Downtown School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 284-5848
Gr: K-5 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Hanawalt Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
225 56th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8411
Gr: K-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Merrill Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5301 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8448
Gr: 6-8 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Cornell Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5817 Ne 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 244-8173
Gr: PK-4 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2425 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8416
Gr: PK-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #77.
Windsor Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5912 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8440
Gr: K-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #88.
Hubbell Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #99.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1010.
Roosevelt High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4419 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Gr: 9-12 | 2,051 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1111.
Perkins Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4301 College
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-8430
Gr: K-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1212.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Gr: PK-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1313.
Samuelson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3929 Bel-aire Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8441
Gr: K-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1414.
Woodside Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5810 Ne 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 265-3451
Gr: 5-8 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1515.
Findley Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3025 Oxford Street
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8407
Gr: K-6 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1616.
Cattell Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3101 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8403
Gr: K-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
Willard Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2941 Dean Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8439
Gr: K-5 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1818.
Phillips Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1701 Lay St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8431
Gr: K-5 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Hillis Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2401 56th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8412
Gr: K-5 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Howe Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Indianola
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8413
Gr: K-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2222.
Moore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3725 52nd St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8426
Gr: K-5 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2323.
Hoover High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4800 Aurora Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Gr: 9-12 | 898 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2424.
Saydel High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5601 Ne 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 262-9325
Gr: 9-12 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2525.
River Woods Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2929 Se 22nd St
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8433
Gr: K-5 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2626.
Callanan Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3010 Center Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8101
Gr: 6-8 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2727.
Morris Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1401 Geil Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8421
Gr: K-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2828.
Mccombs Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Sw County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50320
(515) 242-8447
Gr: 6-8 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2929.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3030.
Lincoln High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,364 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #3131.
Hoyt Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2700 E 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8446
Gr: 6-8 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Brody Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2501 Park Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8443
Gr: 6-8 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Lovejoy Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
801 E Kenyon Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8419
Gr: K-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #3434.
Meredith Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4827 Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7250
Gr: 6-8 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #3535.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1541 8th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Show 29 more public schools in Des Moines, IA (out of 64 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Des Moines, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Des Moines, IA include Delaware Elementary School, Downtown School and Hanawalt Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Des Moines?
65 public schools are located in Des Moines.
What percentage of students in Des Moines go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Des Moines are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines?
Des Moines public schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?

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