Park Ave Elementary School

Summary:

Park Ave Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 378 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 301 out of 309 school districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Park Ave Elementary consistently underperforms compared to district and state averages in standardized test scores. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts ranged from 28.6% to 39.2% across grades 3-5, while the district and state averages were significantly higher. The school's performance in Mathematics and Science also lags behind the district and state. Additionally, Park Ave Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 80.42% to 83.33% over the past three school years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

Despite the school's academic challenges, it has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.7 to 13.2 over the past three school years, which is lower than the nearby schools like McKinley Elementary School, Jackson Elementary School, and Lovejoy Elementary School. The school's spending per student for the 2018-2019 school year was $16,460, which is higher than the nearby schools, but this does not seem to be translating into improved academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public K-5

 3141 SW 9th St
       Des Moines, IA  50315


(515) 242-8429

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
540th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,460 Help


Students who attend Park Ave Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Brody Middle School
High:    Lincoln High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.2 Help
Number of students:  378

Racial breakdown:

White:
43.4%
Hispanic:
28.8%
African American:
14.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  80.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Park Ave Elementary School ranks worse than 96.9% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 29th among 38 ranked elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 4.43. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Park Ave Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (43.4%), Hispanic (28.8%), African American (14.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 80.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Park Ave Elementary School is 13.2. 28 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Park Ave Elementary School employs 28.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Park Ave Elementary School is $16,460, which is the 17th highest among 38 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Park Ave 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 301st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Park Ave Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 10.55 593rd 626 5.3%
2013 15.58 573rd 624 8.2%
2014 3.98 584th 603 3.2%
2015 8.82 570th 616 7.5%
2016 18.45 520th 599 13.2%
2017 20.22 492nd 574 14.3%
2018 16.70 496th 567 12.5%
2019 14.45 548th 603 9.1%
2021 11.44 526th 567 7.2%
2022 8.33 538th 574 6.3%
2023 6.52 534th 565 5.5%
2024 4.43 540th 557 3.1%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Park Ave Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Park Ave Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 543 16 2 10 2 n/a n/a 0 573
1989 571 27 6 9 2 n/a n/a 0 615
1990 548 22 9 6 4 n/a n/a 0 589
1991 534 33 8 6 3 n/a n/a 0 584
1992 547 56 7 11 7 n/a n/a 0 628
1993 523 93 9 20 9 n/a n/a 0 654
1994 494 88 11 13 9 n/a n/a 0 615
1995 479 91 8 18 11 n/a n/a 0 607
1996 479 91 8 18 11 n/a n/a 0 607
1997 501 81 13 13 8 n/a n/a 0 616
1998 444 79 13 11 7 n/a n/a 0 554
1999 408 88 11 12 8 n/a n/a 0 527
2000 458 94 11 15 12 n/a n/a -29 561
2001 406 76 12 27 7 n/a n/a 0 528
2002 389 58 14 42 4 n/a n/a 0 507
2003 389 58 14 42 4 n/a n/a 0 507
2004 358 59 16 30 1 n/a n/a 0 464
2005 377 59 10 25 3 n/a n/a 0 474
2006 351 48 8 22 6 n/a n/a 0 435
2007 340 50 5 20 7 n/a n/a 0 422
2008 374 66 6 32 6 n/a n/a 0 484
2009 352 70 15 42 3 n/a n/a 0 482
2010 346 54 16 70 1 3 31 0 521
2011 320 73 15 83 1 2 33 0 527
2012 264 65 11 84 0 2 39 0 465
2013 280 53 16 87 1 2 33 0 472
2014 288 43 18 95 0 1 26 0 471
2015 247 47 12 92 1 1 24 0 424
2016 239 62 15 102 2 0 31 0 451
2017 214 70 15 97 2 2 30 0 430
2018 208 77 13 98 1 0 34 0 431
2019 186 78 11 100 3 0 32 0 410
2020 200 64 11 110 2 0 31 0 418
2021 180 52 11 109 0 1 29 0 382
2022 171 66 5 117 2 1 28 0 390
2023 164 56 13 109 2 0 34 0 378

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 Park Ave Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 573 30.0 19.1 19.9
1989 615 2.4 256.2 21
1990 589 30.8 19.1 19
1991 584 30.8 18.9 25.5
1992 628 38.0 16.5 25.8
1993 654 43.2 15.1 29.1
1994 615 49.0 12.6 30.6
1995 607 38.4 15.8 33.9
1996 607 38.4 15.8 33.9
1997 616 38.4 16.0 34.9
1998 554 38.4 14.4 33.6
1999 527 32.8 16.1 42.1
2000 561 35.4 15.8 35.8
2001 528 36.7 14.4 41.1
2002 507 33.1 15.3 40.4
2003 507 33.1 15.3 40.4
2004 464 35.9 12.9 45.7
2005 474 28.8 16.5 49.8
2006 435 28.2 15.4 51
2007 422 25.8 16.4 55.7
2008 484 29.5 16.4 52.1
2009 482 31.0 15.5 52.1
2010 521 35.2 14.7 58.7
2011 527 37.8 13.9 69.8
2012 465 33.8 13.7 73.8
2013 472 34.8 13.5 78.4
2014 471 32.3 14.5 75.4
2015 424 32.0 13.2 79.7
2016 451 32.0 14.0 79.2
2017 430 30.7 14.0 79.3
2018 431 31.7 13.5 81.9
2019 410 31.8 12.8 83.9
2020 418 30.4 13.7 83.5
2021 382 32.5 11.7 82.5
2022 390 30.4 12.8 83.3
2023 378 28.5 13.2 80.4

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 Park Ave Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 573 30.0 19.1 19.9
1989 615 2.4 256.2 21
1990 589 30.8 19.1 19
1991 584 30.8 18.9 25.5
1992 628 38.0 16.5 25.8
1993 654 43.2 15.1 29.1
1994 615 49.0 12.6 30.6
1995 607 38.4 15.8 33.9
1996 607 38.4 15.8 33.9
1997 616 38.4 16.0 34.9
1998 554 38.4 14.4 33.6
1999 527 32.8 16.1 42.1
2000 561 35.4 15.8 35.8
2001 528 36.7 14.4 41.1
2002 507 33.1 15.3 40.4
2003 507 33.1 15.3 40.4
2004 464 35.9 12.9 45.7
2005 474 28.8 16.5 49.8
2006 435 28.2 15.4 51
2007 422 25.8 16.4 55.7
2008 484 29.5 16.4 52.1
2009 482 31.0 15.5 52.1
2010 521 35.2 14.7 58.7
2011 527 37.8 13.9 69.8
2012 465 33.8 13.7 73.8
2013 472 34.8 13.5 78.4
2014 471 32.3 14.5 75.4
2015 424 32.0 13.2 79.7
2016 451 32.0 14.0 79.2
2017 430 30.7 14.0 79.3
2018 431 31.7 13.5 81.9
2019 410 31.8 12.8 83.9
2020 418 30.4 13.7 83.5
2021 382 32.5 11.7 82.5
2022 390 30.4 12.8 83.3
2023 378 28.5 13.2 80.4

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 Park Ave Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,357 (8.2%) $15,103 (91.8%) $16,460

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Park Ave 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 548th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 534th of 565 Elementary schools
 3.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Park Ave Elementary School)48.138.1
 10%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)4443.3
 0.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Park Ave Elementary School)48.146
 2.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)5252.1
 0.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Park Ave Elementary School)48.239.3
 8.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)49.752.4
 2.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Park Ave Elementary School)43.936.1
 7.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)50.947.6
 3.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Park Ave Elementary School)60.347.3
 13%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)46.549.5
 3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Park Ave Elementary School)55.945.5
 10.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)48.451.6
 3.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students410378
 7.8%
African American7856
 28.2%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian1113
 18.2%
Hispanic100109
 9%
Pacific Islander00
White186164
 11.8%
Two or More Races3234
 6.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients83.9%80.4%
 3.5%


Schools Near Park Ave Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Park Ave Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 378 students attended Park Ave Elementary School.

Students who attend Park Ave Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Brody Middle School
High : Lincoln High School

Park Ave Elementary School ranks in the bottom 3.1% of Iowa elementary schools.

Students at Park Ave Elementary School are 43% White, 29% Hispanic, 15% African American, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.


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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.





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