Moore Elementary School

Moore Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving grades K-5 with a total enrollment of 298 students. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 306 out of 313 school districts in Iowa and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Moore Elementary School has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 20.1% to 42.0% over the past few years, significantly higher than the state and district averages. The school's test scores, as measured by the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), are generally lower than the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics were 54.8% and 64.3% for 3rd grade, 56.5% and 50% for 4th grade, and 60.7% and 42.6% for 5th grade, compared to the state averages of 67.9%, 76%, and 69.8% for ELA, and 75.8%, 74.3%, and 71.5% for Mathematics. Additionally, Moore Elementary School has a significantly higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 63.76% to 71.96% over the past few years.

When comparing Moore Elementary School to the nearby schools within the same district, such as Cowles Elementary School, it becomes evident that the school is performing below the district and state averages in most academic areas. The high chronic absenteeism rates and the high percentage of students from low-income families may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance. The school's higher spending per student compared to some nearby schools suggests that additional resources are being allocated, but these resources may not be effectively utilized or targeted to address the specific needs of the students.