Summary:
The 50310 zip code area of Des Moines, Iowa is home to 7 elementary schools, a mix of public and public charter institutions serving grades ranging from pre-K to 5th grade. While one school, Moore Elementary School, stands out for its strong academic performance, the other schools in the area struggle, with most students scoring well below state averages in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.
The data reveals significant challenges facing these high-poverty schools, with chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 21.6% to 21.6% in 2023-2024, well above the state average. Free/reduced lunch rates are also high, ranging from 63.76% to 88.86% in 2023-2024, indicating the schools serve a disadvantaged student population. However, Horizon Science Academy Des Moines, a public charter school, appears to be outperforming the district and state in math, despite serving a lower-poverty student population.
The analysis suggests significant inequities within the Des Moines Independent Community School District, with wide performance gaps not only between the schools in the 50310 zip code and the state, but also between these schools and the overall district. Addressing the achievement gaps and challenges facing these high-poverty schools should be a priority for the district and community.
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