Brubaker Elementary School

Summary:

Brubaker Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Brubaker Elementary consistently performs below the state and district averages in standardized test scores, with only 31.3% of 5th-grade students proficient in English Language Arts, compared to 50% for the district and 69% for the state. The school has a low statewide ranking, placing in the bottom 10% of Iowa elementary schools. However, Brubaker is not an outlier, as several other schools in the Des Moines district, such as Capitol View Elementary and Stowe Elementary, also struggle with low test scores and high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Interestingly, when comparing Brubaker Elementary to schools in the neighboring Southeast Polk Community School District, the academic performance and socioeconomic indicators are significantly different. Schools like Willowbrook Elementary and Clay Elementary in the Southeast Polk district have higher test scores, lower percentages of free or reduced-price lunch recipients, and higher statewide rankings compared to Brubaker and other Des Moines schools.

Detail:

Public K-5

2900 E 42nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50317

(515) 242-8405

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
547^th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $16,004

Students who attend Brubaker Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Hoyt Middle School
High:	East High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.8

Number of students: 622

Racial breakdown:

White:

41.6%

Hispanic:

27.0%

African American:

19.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 85.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Brubaker Elementary School ranks worse than 98.2% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 34^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 2.63. (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 Brubaker Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Brubaker Elementary School is $16,004. 23 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Brubaker 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 Brubaker Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	5.72	606^th	626	3.2%
2013	5.16	603^rd	624	3.4%
2014	3.92	585^th	603	3.0%
2015	3.09	600^th	616	2.6%
2016	6.06	576^th	599	3.8%
2017	6.07	540^th	574	5.9%
2018	14.54	502^nd	567	11.5%
2019	8.57	575^th	603	4.6%
2021	7.08	541^st	567	4.6%
2022	6.47	545^th	574	5.1%
2023	6.46	536^th	565	5.1%
2024	2.63	547^th	557	1.8%

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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Enrollment information for Brubaker Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2004	524	60	16	26	7	n/a	n/a	633
2005	553	57	17	30	7	n/a	n/a	664
2006	527	69	13	39	7	n/a	n/a	655
2007	580	67	14	45	9	n/a	n/a	715
2008	565	64	19	58	7	n/a	n/a	713
2009	537	68	21	54	5	n/a	n/a	685
2010	490	48	14	86	2	0	40	680
2011	444	53	17	105	1	0	41	661
2012	443	71	16	109	3	2	50	694
2013	437	72	13	93	2	0	55	672
2014	403	82	19	95	2	0	41	642
2015	416	76	30	120	1	4	57	704
2016	365	106	28	147	3	2	46	697
2017	376	122	28	144	6	2	49	727
2018	355	130	29	138	6	3	48	709
2019	322	128	27	139	4	5	40	665
2020	327	116	29	146	2	1	52	673
2021	302	121	25	144	2	1	48	643
2022	273	148	22	155	0	1	53	652
2023	259	123	18	168	0	1	53	622

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 Brubaker Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2004	633	49.7	12.7	50.1
2005	664	45.4	14.6	54.5
2006	655	48.8	13.4	60
2007	715	49.2	14.5	58.5
2008	713	49.8	14.3	64.9
2009	685	50.2	13.6	63.2
2010	680	50.6	13.4	71.5
2011	661	49.0	13.4	75.3
2012	694	49.0	14.1	75.8
2013	672	52.5	12.8	78.1
2014	642	50.5	12.7	74.6
2015	704	50.0	14.0	79.7
2016	697	56.0	12.4	80.5
2017	727	54.3	13.3	79.9
2018	709	53.8	13.1	80.3
2019	665	52.0	12.7	83.6
2020	673	51.0	13.1	84.1
2021	643	52.4	12.2	82
2022	652	51.0	12.7	83
2023	622	52.4	11.8	85.2

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 Brubaker Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2004	633	49.7	12.7	50.1
2005	664	45.4	14.6	54.5
2006	655	48.8	13.4	60
2007	715	49.2	14.5	58.5
2008	713	49.8	14.3	64.9
2009	685	50.2	13.6	63.2
2010	680	50.6	13.4	71.5
2011	661	49.0	13.4	75.3
2012	694	49.0	14.1	75.8
2013	672	52.5	12.8	78.1
2014	642	50.5	12.7	74.6
2015	704	50.0	14.0	79.7
2016	697	56.0	12.4	80.5
2017	727	54.3	13.3	79.9
2018	709	53.8	13.1	80.3
2019	665	52.0	12.7	83.6
2020	673	51.0	13.1	84.1
2021	643	52.4	12.2	82
2022	652	51.0	12.7	83
2023	622	52.4	11.8	85.2

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 Brubaker Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,458 (9.1%)	$14,547 (90.9%)	$16,004

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Brubaker 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 575^th of 603 Elementary schools	Ranks 536^th of 565 Elementary schools	0.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Brubaker Elementary School)	41.5	41.3	0.2%
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 (Brubaker Elementary School)	48.1	50.9	2.8%
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 (Brubaker Elementary School)	57.3	47.6	9.7%
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 (Brubaker Elementary School)	41.7	31.7	10%
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 (Brubaker Elementary School)	46.2	48.6	2.4%
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 (Brubaker Elementary School)	48.7	42.9	5.8%
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	665	622	6.5%
African American	128	123	3.9%
American Indian	4	0	100%
Asian	27	18	33.3%
Hispanic	139	168	20.9%
Pacific Islander	5	1	80%
White	322	259	19.6%
Two or More Races	40	53	32.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	83.6%	85.2%	1.6%

Schools Near Brubaker 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
Brubaker Elementary School	Public	K-5	2900 E 42nd Street	Des Moines	50317	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8405	622	52	11.8	85.2%	259 (41.6%)	123 (19.8%)	168 (27.0%)	18 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	53 (8.5%)	2.6	547^th of 557 public elementary schools	1.8%		6.5	536^th of 565 public elementary schools	5.1%	11	33.7	51.4	31.3	44.6	34.9	32.5	25.0	$16,004	$1,458	$14,547
Stowe Elementary School	Public	K-5	1411 E 33rd St	Des Moines	50317	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8435	313	26	12.2	87.5%	126 (40.3%)	57 (18.2%)	103 (32.9%)	11 (3.5%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (4.2%)	2	548^th of 557 public elementary schools	1.6%		2.2	558^th of 565 public elementary schools	1.2%	10	28.1	38.2	27.5	25.0	23.5	49.0	17.6	$17,791	$1,908	$15,883
Delaware Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4401 E 46th St	Des Moines	50317	Polk County	Southeast Polk Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 262-3197	398	33	12.0	43.5%	262 (65.8%)	47 (11.8%)	39 (9.8%)	28 (7.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.5%)	72.2	138^th of 557 public elementary schools	75.2%		76.7	109^th of 565 public elementary schools	80.7%	29	80.3	80.3	76.6	88.5	77.8	73.4	71.0	$15,865	$1,352	$14,513
Garton Elementary	Public	K-5	2820 E 24th St	Des Moines	50317	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8408	455	38	11.9	87.9%	90 (19.8%)	85 (18.7%)	172 (37.8%)	70 (15.4%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.9%)	33 (7.3%)	12.4	499^th of 557 public elementary schools	10.4%		3.1	552^nd of 565 public elementary schools	2.3%	53	44.4	46.7	31.3	77.8	49.3	46.9	26.6	$16,721	$1,650	$15,072
Phillips Elementary	Public	K-5	1701 Lay St	Des Moines	50317	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8431	258	23	11.4	81.0%	142 (55.0%)	26 (10.1%)	74 (28.7%)	3 (1.2%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.3%)	11.5	504^th of 557 public elementary schools	9.5%		21.7	471^st of 565 public elementary schools	16.6%	33	50.0	34.2	55.6	61.8	47.4	53.3	31.1	$16,246	$669	$15,577
Pleasant Hill Elementary School	Public	K-5	4801 E Oakwood Dr	Des Moines	50327	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-8432	213	19	11.1	68.5%	135 (63.4%)	15 (7.0%)	46 (21.6%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	13 (6.1%)	39.5	389^th of 557 public elementary schools	30.2%		25.7	459^th of 565 public elementary schools	18.8%	70	51.5	72.0	74.3	63.6	60.0	62.9	62.9	$15,655	$628	$15,027
Willard Elementary School	Public	K-5	2941 Dean Avenue	Des Moines	50317	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8439	286	24	11.8	90.2%	99 (34.6%)	41 (14.3%)	107 (37.4%)	12 (4.2%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (8.4%)	10.9	507^th of 557 public elementary schools	9.0%		14.3	509^th of 565 public elementary schools	9.9%	2	47.1	50.0	47.6	58.8	52.2	57.1	31.0	$16,503	$1,680	$14,822
Willowbrook Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	300 17th Ave SW	Altoona	50009	Polk County	Southeast Polk Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 967-7512	533	35	15.2	50.5%	353 (66.2%)	51 (9.6%)	54 (10.1%)	15 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.5%)	52 (9.8%)	35.2	413^th of 557 public elementary schools	25.9%		44.2	371^st of 565 public elementary schools	34.3%	42	42.9	66.3	67.6	70.2	68.8	62.0	59.2	$13,785	$487	$13,298
Clay Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3200 First Avenue S.	Altoona	50009	Polk County	Southeast Polk Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 967-4198	657	38	17.5	30.1%	463 (70.5%)	68 (10.4%)	69 (10.5%)	12 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (6.5%)	61	242^nd of 557 public elementary schools	56.6%		61.2	231^st of 565 public elementary schools	59.1%	11	64.3	68.4	82.0	76.5	76.8	76.0	69.0	$12,723	$186	$12,537
Capitol View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	320 E. 16th	Des Moines	50316	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-8402	505	44	11.5	94.5%	119 (23.6%)	75 (14.9%)	275 (54.5%)	16 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.0%)	5.3	532^nd of 557 public elementary schools	4.5%		5.2	542^nd of 565 public elementary schools	4.1%	10	33.3	50.7	46.0	50.0	50.7	38.1	31.7	$18,793	$3,389	$15,405

Frequently Asked Questions about Brubaker Elementary School

What district is Brubaker Elementary School in?

Des Moines Independent Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Brubaker Elementary School?

Students at Brubaker Elementary School are 42% White, 27% Hispanic, 20% African American, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Brubaker Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 622 students attended Brubaker Elementary School.

Is Brubaker Elementary School a good school?

Brubaker Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1.8% of Iowa elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Brubaker Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Hoyt Middle School
High : East 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.