Ruby Van Meter

Ruby Van Meter is an alternative public school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving grades K-12 with a total enrollment of 112 students. While the school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 306 out of 313 districts in the state, Ruby Van Meter's performance metrics are significantly worse than nearby alternative schools.

Ruby Van Meter has struggled with low graduation rates, ranging from 0% to 88.3% in recent years, compared to the state average of around 90%. The school also has very high chronic absenteeism rates, from 21.6% to 57.8%, much higher than the state average of 10-15%. Additionally, Ruby Van Meter's test scores on the ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) are extremely low, with 0% of students proficient or better in most grade levels and subject areas, while the state and district averages range from 40-80% proficient. Despite a very high per-student spending of $63,840, the school's performance is significantly behind nearby alternative schools like Prairieview School, Northview Middle School, and Timberline School, which have much higher graduation rates, lower chronic absenteeism, and better test scores.

The high free and reduced-price lunch rates at Ruby Van Meter, ranging from 58.93% to 74.14%, suggest the school serves a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, which may contribute to the school's struggles with attendance, academic performance, and graduation rates. Targeted interventions and support services may be needed to address the specific needs of these students. Additionally, the broader systemic issues within the Des Moines Independent Community School District may be impacting the performance of schools like Ruby Van Meter, and closer examination of the district's policies, resource allocation, and support for alternative schools may be warranted.