What types of schools are available in Des Moines, Iowa?

Des Moines, Iowa offers a variety of public schools including regular public schools and charter schools across elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Iowa›Polk County›Des Moines

Best Schools in Des Moines, Iowa

Q: How many schools are in Des Moines, Iowa?

There are 66 schools in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 32,298 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Q: What is the best elementary school in Des Moines?

To find the highest-rated elementary schools in Des Moines, Iowa, use our school listings above sorted by rating. Filter by "Elementary" level to compare test scores, student-teacher ratios, and parent reviews for each school.

Compare 66 elementary, middle, and high schools. View ratings, test scores, reviews, and more.

Total Schools

Public & Charter Schools

32,298

Total Students

Across Des Moines

14.4:1

Avg Student-Teacher Ratio

District average

66 schools found

Cowles Elementary School

publicmiddlePK-8

6401 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50324

1800 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

4401 E 46Th St, Des Moines, IA 50317

5912 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311

Jefferson Elementary School

publicelementaryPK-5

2425 Watrous Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321

Cornell Elementary School

publicelementaryPK-4

5817 Ne 3Rd St, Des Moines, IA 50313

225 56Th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312

Merrill Middle School

publicmiddleGrade 6-8

5301 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

Greenwood Elementary School

publicelementaryPK-5

316 37Th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312

800 42Nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312

Clive Learning Academy

publicmiddlePK-6

1600 73Rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50324

Perkins Elementary School

publicelementaryK-5

4301 College, Des Moines, IA 50311

Roosevelt High School

publichighGrade 9-12

4419 Center St, Des Moines, IA 50312

Findley Elementary School

publicmiddleK-6

3025 Oxford Street, Des Moines, IA 50313

Samuelson Elementary School

publicelementaryK-5

3929 Bel-Aire Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310

1701 Lay St, Des Moines, IA 50317

Pleasant Hill Elementary School

publicelementaryPK-5

4801 E Oakwood Dr, Des Moines, IA 50327

Woodside Middle School

publicmiddleGrade 5-8

5810 Ne 14Th St, Des Moines, IA 50313

901 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Willard Elementary School

publicelementaryK-5

2941 Dean Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317

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Detailed Overview of Schools in Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa is home to 66 schools serving over 32,298 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The district offers a mix of public, charter, and private institutions with strong academic programs and diverse extracurricular activities.

Data sourced from NCES, CCD, and state education agencies. See methodology →

Schoolary Research Team

Verified with NCES & state education agency data

School Insights

Metrics for currently filtered schools

Academic Proficiency

Math60%

ELA66%

Students meeting state proficiency standards

Class Size Distribution

Small (<15:1)16

Moderate (15-20:1)3

Large (>20:1)1

Smaller classes allow more individual attention

Highlights

5% of schools rated 8/10 or above
2,051 students at Roosevelt High School
Best ratio: 10:1

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Des Moines, Iowa?

There are 66 schools in Des Moines, serving 32,298 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the best elementary school in Des Moines?

Based on our ratings, the top-rated elementary schools in Des Moines include schools with ratings of 7.7 or higher. Use our filters to view all elementary schools sorted by rating.

What is the average student-teacher ratio in Des Moines?

The average student-teacher ratio across all schools in Des Moines is 14.4:1.

Browse Schools by Level in Des Moines

All Schools in Des Moines Elementary Schools in Des Moines Middle Schools in Des Moines High Schools in Des Moines All Schools in Iowa Search All Schools