Jackson Elementary School

Summary:

Jackson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 406 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 301 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Jackson Elementary has a diverse student population, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (37.68%) and Asian (14.53%) students compared to nearby schools. While the school's test scores are generally higher than the district average, they still lag behind the performance of some nearby schools, such as Wright Elementary, which had significantly higher proficiency rates in 2023-2024. Additionally, Jackson Elementary has a high percentage of students (80.54% in 2022-2023) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

Over the past several years, Jackson Elementary's statewide ranking has steadily declined, from 511 out of 574 Iowa elementary schools in 2016-2017 to 512 out of 557 in 2023-2024. This suggests the school is struggling to keep pace with other schools in the state. The school's racial makeup has also changed, with a decrease in the percentage of White students and an increase in the percentage of Hispanic students. Despite these challenges, Jackson Elementary's spending per student ($15,448 in 2018-2019) is higher than the nearby schools, which may suggest additional resources or support for the students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50320

(515) 242-8415

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
512^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,448

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 495

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

37.8%

White:

21.8%

African American:

20.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 72.5%

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Compare Jackson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Jackson Elementary School ranks worse than 91.9% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 20^th among 38 ranked elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.16. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Jackson Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (37.8%), White (21.8%), African American (20%). (See more...)

Compare Details 72.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Jackson Elementary School is 14.8. 32 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Jackson Elementary School employs 33.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Jackson Elementary School is $15,448. 28 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Jackson Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Des Moines Independent Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Des Moines Independent Community School District 301^st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Jackson Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	8.22	598^th	626	4.5%
2013	8.70	592^nd	624	5.1%
2014	8.25	565^th	603	6.3%
2015	6.09	585^th	616	5.0%
2016	7.12	570^th	599	4.8%
2017	13.84	511^th	574	11.0%
2018	7.49	531^st	567	6.3%
2019	6.27	582^nd	603	3.5%
2021	10.41	533^rd	567	6.0%
2022	11.84	522^nd	574	9.1%
2023	13.85	512^th	565	9.4%
2024	10.16	512^th	557	8.1%

See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Jackson Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	404	5	5	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	421
1989	397	8	7	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	419
1990	368	14	5	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	394
1991	339	12	7	4	3	n/a	n/a	0	365
1992	379	16	9	12	4	n/a	n/a	0	420
1993	408	16	13	11	3	n/a	n/a	0	451
1994	399	21	19	11	4	n/a	n/a	0	454
1995	411	22	24	16	1	n/a	n/a	0	474
1996	411	22	24	16	1	n/a	n/a	0	474
1997	397	41	26	15	7	n/a	n/a	0	486
1998	432	47	28	13	6	n/a	n/a	0	526
1999	407	63	22	18	5	n/a	n/a	0	515
2000	466	74	18	24	8	n/a	n/a	-31	559
2001	261	60	17	22	5	n/a	n/a	0	365
2002	242	55	21	57	2	n/a	n/a	0	377
2003	242	55	21	57	2	n/a	n/a	0	377
2004	246	56	22	80	3	n/a	n/a	0	407
2005	270	45	26	83	2	n/a	n/a	0	426
2006	215	59	28	95	0	n/a	n/a	0	397
2007	217	69	30	96	1	n/a	n/a	0	413
2008	212	59	40	89	1	n/a	n/a	0	401
2009	188	60	39	98	0	n/a	n/a	0	385
2010	121	42	30	116	0	0	36	0	345
2011	136	63	43	131	1	0	29	0	403
2012	139	56	41	121	1	0	37	0	395
2013	146	59	42	134	2	0	30	0	413
2014	131	63	41	148	2	0	33	0	418
2015	128	67	45	164	1	0	30	0	435
2016	133	68	45	151	2	2	28	0	429
2017	124	82	56	167	0	4	34	0	467
2018	128	54	60	151	0	0	34	0	427
2019	129	63	67	143	1	0	43	0	446
2020	101	49	74	154	1	0	34	0	413
2021	95	47	78	140	1	0	26	0	387
2022	103	50	73	135	0	0	25	0	386
2023	90	77	59	153	0	0	27	0	406
2024	108	99	66	187	1	1	33	0	495

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Jackson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	421	24.6	17.1	32.3
1989	419	18.0	23.2	31
1990	394	19.9	19.7	28.2
1991	365	23.4	15.5	24.1
1992	420	24.0	17.5	25.2
1993	451	24.3	18.6	25.1
1994	454	27.8	16.3	27.5
1995	474	25.4	18.7	27.2
1996	474	25.4	18.7	27.2
1997	486	25.4	19.1	29
1998	526	25.4	20.7	32.1
1999	515	26.8	19.2	40.4
2000	559	31.0	18.0	33.6
2001	365	26.1	14.0	51.2
2002	377	29.3	12.9	58.1
2003	377	29.3	12.9	58.1
2004	407	32.5	12.5	60.7
2005	426	29.3	14.5	66.2
2006	397	27.7	14.3	69.3
2007	413	32.5	12.7	69.5
2008	401	28.5	14.1	70.1
2009	385	29.0	13.3	66.5
2010	345	27.9	12.3	73
2011	403	29.0	13.8	79.2
2012	395	30.0	13.1	77.7
2013	413	30.0	13.7	78
2014	418	30.0	13.9	74.4
2015	435	30.0	14.5	77.2
2016	429	32.0	13.4	80.4
2017	467	31.1	15.0	80.3
2018	427	33.1	12.9	77.8
2019	446	33.7	13.2	79.1
2020	413	31.5	13.1	77.7
2021	387	31.2	12.4	80.9
2022	386	30.6	12.6	78.5
2023	406	28.5	14.2	80.5
2024	495	33.3	14.8	72.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Jackson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	421	24.6	17.1	32.3
1989	419	18.0	23.2	31
1990	394	19.9	19.7	28.2
1991	365	23.4	15.5	24.1
1992	420	24.0	17.5	25.2
1993	451	24.3	18.6	25.1
1994	454	27.8	16.3	27.5
1995	474	25.4	18.7	27.2
1996	474	25.4	18.7	27.2
1997	486	25.4	19.1	29
1998	526	25.4	20.7	32.1
1999	515	26.8	19.2	40.4
2000	559	31.0	18.0	33.6
2001	365	26.1	14.0	51.2
2002	377	29.3	12.9	58.1
2003	377	29.3	12.9	58.1
2004	407	32.5	12.5	60.7
2005	426	29.3	14.5	66.2
2006	397	27.7	14.3	69.3
2007	413	32.5	12.7	69.5
2008	401	28.5	14.1	70.1
2009	385	29.0	13.3	66.5
2010	345	27.9	12.3	73
2011	403	29.0	13.8	79.2
2012	395	30.0	13.1	77.7
2013	413	30.0	13.7	78
2014	418	30.0	13.9	74.4
2015	435	30.0	14.5	77.2
2016	429	32.0	13.4	80.4
2017	467	31.1	15.0	80.3
2018	427	33.1	12.9	77.8
2019	446	33.7	13.2	79.1
2020	413	31.5	13.1	77.7
2021	387	31.2	12.4	80.9
2022	386	30.6	12.6	78.5
2023	406	28.5	14.2	80.5
2024	495	33.3	14.8	72.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Jackson Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,376 (8.9%)	$14,072 (91.1%)	$15,448

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Jackson Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 582^nd of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 512^th of 565 Elementary schools	5.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jackson Elementary School)	42.5	47.3	4.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	44	43.3	0.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	65.3	66.3	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Jackson Elementary School)	48.6	63.6	15%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	52	52.1	0.1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	71.7	75.3	3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Jackson Elementary School)	49.3	48.5	0.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	49.7	52.4	2.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	70.5	73.1	2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Jackson Elementary School)	45.1	39.4	5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	50.9	47.6	3.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	72.5	72.9	0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Jackson Elementary School)	42.7	54.3	11.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	46.5	49.5	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	67.3	68.3	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Jackson Elementary School)	46.3	60.9	14.6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)	48.4	51.6	3.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	69.4	71.3	1.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	446	406	9%
African American	63	77	22.2%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	67	59	11.9%
Hispanic	143	153	7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	129	90	30.2%
Two or More Races	43	27	37.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	79.1%	80.5%	1.4%

Schools Near Jackson Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)			ISASP Mathematics (2024)			ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 4th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 5th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 3rd Grade	ISASP Mathematics 4th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 5th Grade	ISASP Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Jackson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3825 Indianola Ave	Des Moines	50320	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8415	495	33	14.8	72.5%	108 (21.8%)	99 (20.0%)	187 (37.8%)	66 (13.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (6.7%)	10.2	512^th of 557 public elementary schools	8.1%		13.8	512^th of 565 public elementary schools	9.4%		38.2	55.0	47.3	48.5	63.3	52.7	28.4	$15,448	$1,376	$14,072
Howe Elementary	Public	K-5	2900 Indianola	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8413	303	25	11.9	77.9%	78 (25.7%)	58 (19.1%)	125 (41.3%)	29 (9.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.3%)	11.2	506^th of 557 public elementary schools	9.2%		15.7	501^st of 565 public elementary schools	11.3%	5	28.0	48.6	54.0	46.0	43.2	64.0	40.0	$16,527	$1,727	$14,800
River Woods Elementary School	Public	K-5	2929 SE 22nd St	Des Moines	50320	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8433	505	44	11.5	80.4%	60 (11.9%)	99 (19.6%)	227 (45.0%)	93 (18.4%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.6%)	7.7	521^st of 557 public elementary schools	6.5%		18.7	489^th of 565 public elementary schools	13.5%	32	41.7	44.3	45.6	47.2	31.6	61.8	33.8	$15,278	$1,674	$13,604
Lovejoy Elementary School	Public	K-5	801 E Kenyon Ave	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8419	412	32	12.9	82.0%	89 (21.6%)	110 (26.7%)	137 (33.3%)	44 (10.7%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.5%)	27 (6.6%)	4.1	542^nd of 557 public elementary schools	2.7%		4.6	544^th of 565 public elementary schools	3.7%	2	24.1	50.0	41.9	49.1	33.3	45.2	35.5	$17,256	$2,903	$14,353
South Union Elementary School	Public	K-5	4201 South Union	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8409	424	38	11.0	81.1%	107 (25.2%)	84 (19.8%)	147 (34.7%)	41 (9.7%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (9.9%)	7	528^th of 557 public elementary schools	5.2%		5.6	541^st of 565 public elementary schools	4.2%	13	38.5	51.6	44.8	55.8	37.1	53.7	31.3	$14,822	$1,433	$13,389
Mitchell Early Childhood Center	Public	PK	111 Porter	Des Moines	50310	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-8424	340	17	20.3	72.4%	106 (31.2%)	69 (20.3%)	109 (32.1%)	26 (7.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (8.5%)								(n/a)
Park Ave Elementary School	Public	K-5	3141 SW 9th St	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8429	408	29	14.0	75.2%	152 (37.3%)	96 (23.5%)	105 (25.7%)	20 (4.9%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (7.4%)	4.4	540^th of 557 public elementary schools	3.1%		6.5	534^th of 565 public elementary schools	5.5%	6	39.2	28.6	37.1	54.9	37.5	44.4	38.1	$16,460	$1,357	$15,103
McKinley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1610 SE 6th Street	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8423	269	22	12.3	78.1%	80 (29.7%)	30 (11.2%)	122 (45.4%)	13 (4.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (8.6%)	8.1	519^th of 557 public elementary schools	6.8%		6.5	535^th of 565 public elementary schools	5.3%	16	31.7	41.7	54.5	39.0	52.8	57.6	33.3	$18,844	$1,470	$17,374
Wright Elementary School	Public	K-5	5001 SW 14th St	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8442	244	22	11.0	67.2%	106 (43.4%)	28 (11.5%)	80 (32.8%)	6 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.8%)	21.3	466^th of 557 public elementary schools	16.3%		4.1	547^th of 565 public elementary schools	3.2%	81	60.6	38.5	55.3	69.7	53.8	50.0	52.6	$15,928	$1,243	$14,685
Studebaker Elementary School	Public	K-5	300 E County Line Rd	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8436	553	39	14.3	80.3%	179 (32.4%)	88 (15.9%)	226 (40.9%)	21 (3.8%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.5%)	4	543^rd of 557 public elementary schools	2.5%		4.7	543^rd of 565 public elementary schools	3.9%		34.4	50.0	36.2	53.3	38.6	44.9	26.1	$15,051	$1,299	$13,752

Frequently Asked Questions about Jackson Elementary School

Is Jackson Elementary School a good school?

Jackson Elementary School ranks in the bottom 8.1% of Iowa elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Jackson Elementary School?

Students at Jackson Elementary School are 38% Hispanic, 22% White, 20% African American, 13% Asian, 7% Two or more races.

What district is Jackson Elementary School in?

Des Moines Independent Community School District

How many students attend Jackson Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 495 students attended Jackson Elementary School.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.