| Metric | Des Moines Independent Community School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 30,739 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 59 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,949/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Independent Community School District (this district) | 1/10 | 1st | 30,739 |
| Des Moines Independent Community School District | 1/10 | 1st | 30,739 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 316 rated districts in IA → 1st percentile → 1/10.
Source: Iowa Dept. of Education ISASP, grades 3–8 ELA & Math, Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
- Brubaker Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 622 students
- Studebaker Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 561 students
- Garton Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 535 students
- Capitol View Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 533 students
- Morris Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 519 students
- River Woods Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 493 students
- Jackson Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 490 students
- Moulton Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 465 students
- Perkins Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 438 students
- Carver Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 436 students
- South Union Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 422 students
- Lovejoy Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 394 students
- Samuelson Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 386 students
- Park Ave Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 380 students
- Hubbell Elementary — Grades K–5 · 362 students
- Monroe Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 341 students
- King Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 315 students
- Cattell Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 314 students
- Hanawalt Elementary — Grades K–5 · 312 students
- Jefferson Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 312 students
- Howe Elementary — Grades K–5 · 297 students
- Stowe Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 297 students
- Greenwood Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 293 students
- Mitchell Early Childhood Center — Grades PK–PK · 292 students
- Oak Park — Grades K–5 · 288 students
- + 15 more elementary schools
- Weeks Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 688 students
- McCombs Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 670 students
- Meredith Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 662 students
- Merrill Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 657 students
- Brody Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 641 students
- Harding Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 603 students
- Callanan Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 553 students
- Goodrell Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 511 students
- Hiatt Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 488 students
- Hoyt Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 455 students
- Lincoln High School — Grades 9–12 · 2,364 students
- Roosevelt High School — Grades 9–12 · 2,051 students
- East High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,952 students
- North High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,428 students
- Hoover High School — Grades 9–12 · 898 students
- Virtual Campus — Grades 9–12 · 380 students
- Cowles Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 392 students
- Findley Elementary School — Grades K–6 · 324 students
- Ruby Van Meter — Grades K–12 · 109 students
About Des Moines Independent Community School District
Des Moines Independent Community School District serves zip code 50311, covering Des Moines, Iowa with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Des Moines Independent Community School District 1 out of 10 — low-rated among Iowa public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Iowa’s ISASP grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Iowa is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Des Moines Independent Community School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Iowa on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 50311
Children in zip code 50311 are assigned to Des Moines Independent Community School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 50311, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Des Moines Independent Community School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Iowa districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Des Moines
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Des Moines Independent Community School District serves zip code 50311, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 50311. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Iowa, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Des Moines Independent Community School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 50311.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Des Moines Independent Community School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 50311 data.