Fairmeadows Elementary School

Summary:

Fairmeadows Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving grades PK-6 with a student population of 569. The school is part of the West Des Moines Community School District, which is ranked 190 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Fairmeadows Elementary consistently outperforms the West Des Moines Community School District and the state of Iowa in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Fairmeadows had 75-81.8% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 61.8-77.9% for the district and 64.2-74.5% for the state. In Mathematics, Fairmeadows had 75.3-80.6% proficiency, compared to 74-77.1% for the district and 71.1-76.3% for the state. Additionally, Fairmeadows has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (27.07% in 2022-2023) compared to some nearby schools, such as Crestview School of Inquiry (58.19%) and Hillside Elementary (56.17%).

Despite its strong academic performance, Fairmeadows Elementary's statewide ranking has declined in recent years, dropping from a high of 4-5 stars out of 5 to 2 stars out of 5 in the 2022-2023 school year. This could be due to factors beyond just academic achievement, such as changes in the school's demographics, funding, or other resources. Nonetheless, Fairmeadows Elementary School stands out as a high-performing elementary school within the West Des Moines Community School District, with strong academic achievement and a relatively low percentage of students from low-income families.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 807 23rd St
       West Des Moines, IA  50265


(515) 633-6500

District: West Des Moines Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
212th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,706 Help


Students who attend Fairmeadows Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Stilwell Junior High School
High:    Valley High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  569

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.0%
Hispanic:
9.3%
African American:
8.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  27.1% Help


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 Compare Fairmeadows Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Fairmeadows Elementary School ranks better than 61.9% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 4th among 8 ranked elementary schools in the West Des Moines Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 63.88. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (68%), Hispanic (9.3%), African American (8.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 27.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fairmeadows Elementary School is 17.5, which is the highest among 8 elementary schools in the West Des Moines Community School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Fairmeadows Elementary School employs 32.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fairmeadows Elementary School is $13,706. 5 elementary schools in the West Des Moines Community School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

West Des Moines Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks West Des Moines Community School District 190th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Fairmeadows Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 77.66 77th 626 87.7%
2013 79.26 49th 624 92.1%
2014 77.95 80th 603 86.7%
2015 79.81 67th 616 89.1%
2016 81.44 53rd 599 91.2%
2017 80.56 59th 574 89.7%
2018 80.97 59th 567 89.6%
2019 77.82 108th 603 82.1%
2021 64.30 202nd 567 64.4%
2022 61.46 234th 574 59.2%
2023 53.73 298th 565 47.3%
2024 63.88 212th 557 61.9%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

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

Fairmeadows 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 Fairmeadows 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 489 7 15 4 0 n/a n/a 0 515
1989 524 10 12 3 0 n/a n/a 0 549
1990 559 9 18 3 0 n/a n/a 0 589
1991 522 7 11 2 0 n/a n/a 0 542
1992 502 5 16 3 0 n/a n/a 0 526
1993 492 6 9 3 0 n/a n/a 0 510
1994 457 4 11 9 1 n/a n/a 0 482
1995 480 8 14 13 0 n/a n/a 0 515
1996 480 8 14 13 0 n/a n/a 0 515
1997 485 7 14 19 0 n/a n/a 0 525
1998 469 11 16 14 0 n/a n/a 0 510
1999 441 14 18 21 0 n/a n/a 0 494
2000 483 19 20 14 0 n/a n/a -28 508
2001 446 21 16 23 0 n/a n/a 0 506
2002 448 16 16 36 0 n/a n/a 0 516
2003 448 16 16 36 0 n/a n/a 0 516
2004 419 20 13 35 0 n/a n/a 0 487
2005 399 18 13 32 1 n/a n/a 0 463
2006 386 19 16 48 1 n/a n/a 0 470
2007 392 16 20 56 1 n/a n/a 0 485
2008 395 18 21 45 1 n/a n/a 0 480
2009 415 26 20 37 1 n/a n/a 0 499
2010 406 16 12 57 3 0 21 0 515
2011 412 14 14 55 3 0 22 0 520
2012 426 13 16 55 2 0 23 0 535
2013 440 18 15 50 2 0 21 0 546
2014 445 19 18 46 3 0 24 0 555
2015 429 23 21 52 2 0 32 0 559
2016 448 26 24 39 3 0 26 0 566
2017 433 39 25 41 2 0 27 0 567
2018 432 34 23 43 2 0 32 0 566
2019 433 25 30 39 2 0 35 0 564
2020 419 35 30 42 2 0 43 0 571
2021 409 47 27 41 2 0 39 0 565
2022 398 48 34 46 1 0 36 0 563
2023 387 46 38 53 2 0 43 0 569

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 Fairmeadows Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 515 25.8 19.9 2.3
1989 549 26.3 20.8 2
1990 589 28.8 20.4 2.5
1991 542 28.5 19.0 1.7
1992 526 29.0 18.1 0.8
1993 510 28.2 18.1 1.8
1994 482 28.2 17.1 3.1
1995 515 29.4 17.5 3.3
1996 515 29.4 17.5 3.3
1997 525 29.9 17.6 5
1998 510 30.0 17.0 5.7
1999 494 29.0 17.0 10.5
2000 508 30.5 16.7 6.7
2001 506 21.8 23.2 10.3
2002 516 29.5 17.5 12.6
2003 516 29.5 17.5 12.6
2004 487 30.0 16.2 13.3
2005 463 30.0 15.4 14.9
2006 470 30.0 15.7 16.6
2007 485 29.0 16.7 22.7
2008 480 31.2 15.4 21.9
2009 499 32.8 15.2 19.6
2010 515 32.2 15.9 25.4
2011 520 30.8 16.8 25
2012 535 33.5 15.9 27.7
2013 546 32.7 16.6 30.2
2014 555 32.5 17.0 29.5
2015 559 32.0 17.4 30.2
2016 566 34.0 16.6 27.6
2017 567 35.6 15.9 30.2
2018 566 35.8 15.7 30.2
2019 564 33.3 16.9 30
2020 571 33.8 16.8 28.9
2021 565 33.8 16.7 30.6
2022 563 32.9 17.0 27.5
2023 569 32.3 17.5 27.1

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 Fairmeadows Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 515 25.8 19.9 2.3
1989 549 26.3 20.8 2
1990 589 28.8 20.4 2.5
1991 542 28.5 19.0 1.7
1992 526 29.0 18.1 0.8
1993 510 28.2 18.1 1.8
1994 482 28.2 17.1 3.1
1995 515 29.4 17.5 3.3
1996 515 29.4 17.5 3.3
1997 525 29.9 17.6 5
1998 510 30.0 17.0 5.7
1999 494 29.0 17.0 10.5
2000 508 30.5 16.7 6.7
2001 506 21.8 23.2 10.3
2002 516 29.5 17.5 12.6
2003 516 29.5 17.5 12.6
2004 487 30.0 16.2 13.3
2005 463 30.0 15.4 14.9
2006 470 30.0 15.7 16.6
2007 485 29.0 16.7 22.7
2008 480 31.2 15.4 21.9
2009 499 32.8 15.2 19.6
2010 515 32.2 15.9 25.4
2011 520 30.8 16.8 25
2012 535 33.5 15.9 27.7
2013 546 32.7 16.6 30.2
2014 555 32.5 17.0 29.5
2015 559 32.0 17.4 30.2
2016 566 34.0 16.6 27.6
2017 567 35.6 15.9 30.2
2018 566 35.8 15.7 30.2
2019 564 33.3 16.9 30
2020 571 33.8 16.8 28.9
2021 565 33.8 16.7 30.6
2022 563 32.9 17.0 27.5
2023 569 32.3 17.5 27.1

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 Fairmeadows Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $194 (1.4%) $13,513 (98.6%) $13,706

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Fairmeadows 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 108th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 298th of 565 Elementary schools
 34.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fairmeadows Elementary School)71.870.3
 1.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)6371
 8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Fairmeadows Elementary School)85.979.7
 6.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)72.676.8
 4.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Fairmeadows Elementary School)7672.5
 3.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)70.173.8
 3.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Fairmeadows Elementary School)8480
 4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)75.279.6
 4.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Fairmeadows Elementary School)76.863.8
 13%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)67.871.4
 3.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Fairmeadows Elementary School)8980
 9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)77.977.9
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Fairmeadows Elementary School)79.768.8
 10.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)72.670.7
 1.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Fairmeadows Elementary School)87.870.1
 17.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)76.572.3
 4.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students564569
 0.9%
African American2546
 84%
American Indian22
Asian3038
 26.7%
Hispanic3953
 35.9%
Pacific Islander00
White433387
 10.6%
Two or More Races3543
 22.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients30%27.1%
 2.9%


Schools Near Fairmeadows Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Fairmeadows Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 569 students attended Fairmeadows Elementary School.

Fairmeadows Elementary School ranks 212th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : Stilwell Junior High School
High : Valley High School

Students at Fairmeadows Elementary School are 68% White, 9% Hispanic, 8% African American, 8% Two or more races, 7% 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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