Morris Elementary School

Summary:

Morris Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving 444 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 Iowa and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Morris Elementary School has a diverse student population, with 36.49% White, 17.34% African American, 36.94% Hispanic, 3.15% Asian, and 6.08% two or more races. However, the school's academic performance, as measured by ISASP test scores, is consistently lower than the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's 3rd-grade proficiency rates in English Language Arts (35.4%) and Mathematics (35.4%) were significantly below the state (64.2% and 76.3%) and district (43.1% and 55.5%) averages. Additionally, Morris Elementary School has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 85.94% to 87.61% over the past three school years, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools in the same district.

Despite the school's challenges, it has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.3 to 12.5 over the past three school years, which is lower than the nearby schools in the same district. However, Morris Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of Iowa elementary schools based on the SchoolDigger statewide ranking, with a 0-star rating for the past several years. This suggests that the school is struggling to provide a high-quality education to its students, even when compared to other schools in the district that face similar demographic challenges.


Detail:

Public K-5

 1401 Geil Avenue
       Des Moines, IA  50315


(515) 242-8421

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
516th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,468 Help


Students who attend Morris Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Lincoln High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.5 Help
Number of students:  444

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
36.9%
White:
36.5%
African American:
17.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  87.6% Help


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 Compare Morris Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Morris Elementary School ranks worse than 92.6% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 22nd 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 9.45. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Morris Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (36.9%), White (36.5%), African American (17.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 87.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Morris Elementary School is 12.5. 23 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Morris Elementary School employs 35.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Morris Elementary School is $16,468, which is the 16th highest among 38 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Morris 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 Morris Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 23.72 553rd 626 11.7%
2013 11.12 585th 624 6.3%
2014 6.88 573rd 603 5.0%
2015 2.94 601st 616 2.4%
2016 19.26 518th 599 13.5%
2017 14.49 508th 574 11.5%
2018 14.92 499th 567 12.0%
2019 9.86 568th 603 5.8%
2021 11.62 523rd 567 7.8%
2022 10.30 527th 574 8.2%
2023 7.67 530th 565 6.2%
2024 9.45 516th 557 7.4%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Morris 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 Morris 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 332 5 5 4 0 n/a n/a 0 346
1989 333 9 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 350
1990 341 4 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 353
1991 350 4 7 5 2 n/a n/a 0 368
1992 387 13 3 4 1 n/a n/a 0 408
1993 321 6 4 3 2 n/a n/a 0 336
1994 372 4 4 7 0 n/a n/a 0 387
1995 381 5 4 9 2 n/a n/a 0 401
1996 381 5 4 9 2 n/a n/a 0 401
1997 320 5 3 7 2 n/a n/a 0 337
1998 322 2 2 5 5 n/a n/a 0 336
1999 324 2 1 5 6 n/a n/a 0 338
2000 344 1 1 6 5 n/a n/a -28 329
2001 300 2 2 7 5 n/a n/a 0 316
2002 425 20 6 93 2 n/a n/a 0 546
2003 425 20 6 93 2 n/a n/a 0 546
2004 418 24 9 121 4 n/a n/a 0 576
2005 397 43 10 142 3 n/a n/a 0 595
2006 339 41 9 184 5 n/a n/a 0 578
2007 337 42 12 199 4 n/a n/a 0 594
2008 315 45 16 199 6 n/a n/a 0 581
2009 358 52 18 214 6 n/a n/a 0 648
2010 329 57 31 243 2 0 30 0 692
2011 276 47 28 223 2 0 26 0 602
2012 269 58 26 241 2 0 20 0 616
2013 272 53 28 238 3 0 23 0 617
2014 281 62 20 215 2 0 32 0 612
2015 284 83 22 174 0 0 32 0 595
2016 255 73 25 184 3 0 39 0 579
2017 256 80 33 199 2 0 31 0 601
2018 242 87 27 203 2 3 36 0 600
2019 217 103 19 194 2 0 32 0 567
2020 199 92 15 185 3 0 32 0 526
2021 183 88 13 159 3 0 26 0 472
2022 165 83 13 161 2 0 24 0 448
2023 162 77 14 164 0 0 27 0 444

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 Morris Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 346 19.6 17.6 24.9
1989 350 17.0 20.5 18.6
1990 353 20.6 17.1 16.7
1991 368 28.6 12.8 17.7
1992 408 27.0 15.1 18.9
1993 336 28.0 12.0 21.1
1994 387 34.3 11.3 20.2
1995 401 26.2 15.3 22.7
1996 401 26.2 15.3 22.7
1997 337 26.2 12.9 24.9
1998 336 26.2 12.8 22
1999 338 21.9 15.4 41.1
2000 329 25.6 12.9 37.8
2001 316 25.7 12.3 39.6
2002 546 42.2 12.9 57.5
2003 546 42.2 12.9 57.5
2004 576 48.0 12.0 57.1
2005 595 44.3 13.4 61.5
2006 578 46.6 12.4 65.9
2007 594 45.9 12.9 63.8
2008 581 47.6 12.2 70.1
2009 648 47.6 13.6 67.1
2010 692 48.6 14.2 73.6
2011 602 48.0 12.5 77.6
2012 616 46.0 13.3 81.2
2013 617 46.0 13.4 84
2014 612 49.8 12.2 79.2
2015 595 49.0 12.1 88.4
2016 579 47.0 12.3 85.5
2017 601 45.3 13.2 84.7
2018 600 45.9 13.0 86.2
2019 567 45.6 12.4 87.5
2020 526 43.5 12.0 87.1
2021 472 41.5 11.3 87.3
2022 448 39.4 11.3 85.9
2023 444 35.5 12.5 87.6

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 Morris Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 346 19.6 17.6 24.9
1989 350 17.0 20.5 18.6
1990 353 20.6 17.1 16.7
1991 368 28.6 12.8 17.7
1992 408 27.0 15.1 18.9
1993 336 28.0 12.0 21.1
1994 387 34.3 11.3 20.2
1995 401 26.2 15.3 22.7
1996 401 26.2 15.3 22.7
1997 337 26.2 12.9 24.9
1998 336 26.2 12.8 22
1999 338 21.9 15.4 41.1
2000 329 25.6 12.9 37.8
2001 316 25.7 12.3 39.6
2002 546 42.2 12.9 57.5
2003 546 42.2 12.9 57.5
2004 576 48.0 12.0 57.1
2005 595 44.3 13.4 61.5
2006 578 46.6 12.4 65.9
2007 594 45.9 12.9 63.8
2008 581 47.6 12.2 70.1
2009 648 47.6 13.6 67.1
2010 692 48.6 14.2 73.6
2011 602 48.0 12.5 77.6
2012 616 46.0 13.3 81.2
2013 617 46.0 13.4 84
2014 612 49.8 12.2 79.2
2015 595 49.0 12.1 88.4
2016 579 47.0 12.3 85.5
2017 601 45.3 13.2 84.7
2018 600 45.9 13.0 86.2
2019 567 45.6 12.4 87.5
2020 526 43.5 12.0 87.1
2021 472 41.5 11.3 87.3
2022 448 39.4 11.3 85.9
2023 444 35.5 12.5 87.6

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 Morris Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,455 (8.8%) $15,012 (91.2%) $16,468

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Morris 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 568th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 530th of 565 Elementary schools
 0.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Morris Elementary School)36.437.8
 1.4%
   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 (Morris Elementary School)45.540.5
 5%
   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 (Morris Elementary School)60.549.2
 11.3%
   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 (Morris Elementary School)63.249.2
 14%
   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 (Morris Elementary School)41.150.8
 9.7%
   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 (Morris Elementary School)35.555.9
 20.4%
   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 Students567444
 21.7%
African American10377
 25.2%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian1914
 26.3%
Hispanic194164
 15.5%
Pacific Islander00
White217162
 25.3%
Two or More Races3227
 15.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients87.5%87.6%
 0.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Morris Elementary School

Students at Morris Elementary School are 37% Hispanic, 36% White, 17% African American, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 444 students attended Morris Elementary School.

Morris Elementary School ranks in the bottom 7.4% of Iowa elementary schools.

Students who attend Morris Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Lincoln High 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.





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