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Cowles Elementary School

Summary:

Cowles Elementary School is a public elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving grades PK-8 with a student population of 391. 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.

Cowles Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state in academic proficiency across various grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Cowles Elementary had significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics compared to the district and state averages. This trend has been consistent over the past few years, with Cowles ranking among the top 30-259 elementary schools in Iowa. However, the school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with a majority (78.01%) of students identifying as White. Additionally, Cowles Elementary has a relatively low percentage of students (16.88% in 2022-2023) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which is significantly lower than the nearby Moore Elementary (71.96%) and Hillis Elementary (79.34%).

Cowles Elementary's consistently high academic performance is a notable strength, suggesting the school is effectively supporting student learning and achievement. However, the school's racial composition and socioeconomic disparity compared to nearby schools may indicate a need to explore strategies to attract and support a more diverse student body and address the needs of students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the higher student-teacher ratio at Cowles Elementary compared to nearby schools may present challenges in providing personalized attention and support to students, which could be an area for the school to explore ways to optimize the learning environment.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 6401 College Ave
       Des Moines, IA  50324

(515) 242-7818

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
243rd of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,566 Help


Students who attend Cowles Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Merrill Middle School
High:    Roosevelt High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.8 Help
Number of students:  391

Racial breakdown:

White:
78.0%
Two or more races:
9.7%
Hispanic:
6.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  16.9% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Cowles Elementary School ranks better than 56.4% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 2nd 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 60.96. (See more...)
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Compare Details Cowles Elementary School ranks better than 72.7% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 69.35. (See more...)
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Cowles Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Des Moines Independent Community School District.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cowles Elementary School is $14,566. 34 elementary schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Cowles Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Cowles Elementary School 92nd of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Cowles Elementary School in the ranking list.)

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 Cowles Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 72.30 119th 626 81.0%
2013 69.62 156th 624 75.0%
2014 73.42 125th 603 79.3%
2015 74.89 133rd 616 78.4%
2016 78.42 83rd 599 86.1%
2017 84.66 30th 574 94.8%
2018 76.81 95th 567 83.2%
2019 81.60 81st 603 86.6%
2021 60.68 230th 567 59.4%
2022 67.21 198th 574 65.5%
2023 57.69 259th 565 54.2%
2024 60.96 243rd 557 56.4%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Cowles Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 84.44 14th 349 96.0%
2013 86.08 8th 350 97.7%
2014 86.55 10th 337 97.0%
2015 93.16 3rd 349 99.1%
2016 86.52 10th 343 97.1%
2017 93.79 3rd 327 99.1%
2018 78.03 41st 318 87.1%
2019 86.70 17th 342 95.0%
2021 91.05 6th 324 98.1%
2022 94.18 2nd 337 99.4%
2023 81.91 28th 334 91.6%
2024 69.35 92nd 337 72.7%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Cowles 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 Cowles Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 74 6 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 81
1990 44 5 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 49
1991 131 9 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 144
1992 392 22 13 5 0 n/a n/a 0 432
1993 149 16 1 0 3 n/a n/a 0 169
1994 145 17 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 169
1995 185 9 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 195
1996 185 9 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 195
1997 63 11 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 74
1998 63 9 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 75
1999 81 6 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 91
2000 88 3 2 1 1 n/a n/a -8 87
2001 97 6 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 106
2002 172 15 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 192
2003 172 15 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 192
2004 153 33 5 4 0 n/a n/a 0 195
2005 213 15 10 7 0 n/a n/a 0 245
2006 235 14 9 9 2 n/a n/a 0 269
2007 249 10 11 6 1 n/a n/a 0 277
2008 244 15 21 10 0 n/a n/a 0 290
2009 269 18 23 13 0 n/a n/a 0 323
2010 263 12 9 18 1 0 29 0 332
2011 281 11 8 17 1 0 27 0 345
2012 288 12 11 18 2 2 30 0 363
2013 304 13 15 20 3 2 36 0 393
2014 303 11 8 21 2 3 42 0 390
2015 313 9 12 20 1 4 40 0 399
2016 299 8 16 26 2 4 47 0 402
2017 305 10 15 28 2 5 43 0 408
2018 305 9 14 23 2 4 40 0 397
2019 300 8 16 20 2 4 43 0 393
2020 318 10 17 25 3 4 47 0 424
2021 295 6 19 28 2 2 40 0 392
2022 293 5 17 26 2 0 37 0 380
2023 305 6 13 25 2 0 38 2 391

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 Cowles Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 81 7.3 11.0 67.9
1990 49 5.6 8.7 32.7
1991 144 22.6 6.3 41.7
1992 432 29.0 14.8 6.9
1993 169 18.9 8.9 20.7
1994 169 16.0 10.6 17.2
1995 195 10.0 19.5 9.2
1996 195 10.0 19.5 9.2
1997 74 10.0 7.4 28.4
1998 75 10.0 7.5 6.7
1999 91 12.9 7.1 22
2000 87 16.0 5.4 20
2001 106 18.1 5.9 35.8
2002 192 19.2 10.0 7.3
2003 192 19.2 10.0 7.3
2004 195 18.6 10.5 10.8
2005 245 12.9 19.0 8.6
2006 269 12.9 20.9 7.4
2007 277 15.7 17.6 6.9
2008 290 16.7 17.4 11
2009 323 16.1 20.1 12.4
2010 332 16.6 19.9 15.4
2011 345 17.0 20.2 17.1
2012 363 18.0 20.1 17.4
2013 393 21.0 18.7 17.8
2014 390 23.0 16.9 12.8
2015 399 22.0 18.1 15.3
2016 402 23.0 17.4 24.6
2017 408 24.1 16.8 15
2018 397 22.8 17.4 17.9
2019 393 22.1 17.7 21.1
2020 424 21.4 19.8 21.2
2021 392 22.3 17.5 16.6
2022 380 22.2 17.1 15.5
2023 391 21.9 17.8 16.9

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 Cowles Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 81 7.3 11.0 67.9
1990 49 5.6 8.7 32.7
1991 144 22.6 6.3 41.7
1992 432 29.0 14.8 6.9
1993 169 18.9 8.9 20.7
1994 169 16.0 10.6 17.2
1995 195 10.0 19.5 9.2
1996 195 10.0 19.5 9.2
1997 74 10.0 7.4 28.4
1998 75 10.0 7.5 6.7
1999 91 12.9 7.1 22
2000 87 16.0 5.4 20
2001 106 18.1 5.9 35.8
2002 192 19.2 10.0 7.3
2003 192 19.2 10.0 7.3
2004 195 18.6 10.5 10.8
2005 245 12.9 19.0 8.6
2006 269 12.9 20.9 7.4
2007 277 15.7 17.6 6.9
2008 290 16.7 17.4 11
2009 323 16.1 20.1 12.4
2010 332 16.6 19.9 15.4
2011 345 17.0 20.2 17.1
2012 363 18.0 20.1 17.4
2013 393 21.0 18.7 17.8
2014 390 23.0 16.9 12.8
2015 399 22.0 18.1 15.3
2016 402 23.0 17.4 24.6
2017 408 24.1 16.8 15
2018 397 22.8 17.4 17.9
2019 393 22.1 17.7 21.1
2020 424 21.4 19.8 21.2
2021 392 22.3 17.5 16.6
2022 380 22.2 17.1 15.5
2023 391 21.9 17.8 16.9

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 Cowles Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $624 (4.3%) $13,942 (95.7%) $14,566

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Cowles 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 81st of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 259th of 565 Elementary schools
 32.4%
Ranks 17th of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 28th of 334 Middle schools
 3.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cowles Elementary School)77.485.3
 7.9%
   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 (Cowles Elementary School)77.473.5
 3.9%
   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 (Cowles Elementary School)90.980
 10.9%
   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 (Cowles Elementary School)84.854.3
 30.5%
   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 (Cowles Elementary School)88.986.1
 2.8%
   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 (Cowles Elementary School)72.252.8
 19.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)48.451.6
 3.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Cowles Elementary School)91.491.4
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)48.345.6
 2.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Cowles Elementary School)91.460
 31.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.141
 10.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Cowles Elementary School)8093.1
 13.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)47.848.4
 0.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Cowles Elementary School)74.389.7
 15.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.943.3
 8.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Cowles Elementary School)94.996.3
 1.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)50.751.5
 0.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Cowles Elementary School)94.9100
 5.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)51.946.1
 5.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students393391
 0.5%
African American86
 25%
American Indian22
Asian1613
 18.8%
Hispanic2025
 25%
Pacific Islander40
 100%
White300305
 1.7%
Two or More Races4338
 11.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients21.1%16.9%
 4.2%

Schools Near Cowles Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Cowles Elementary School

Students at Cowles Elementary School are 78% White, 10% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 2% African American.

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

Middle : Merrill Middle School
High : Roosevelt High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 391 students attended Cowles Elementary School.

Cowles Elementary School ranks 243rd of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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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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