School Score

Below average

39/100

Des Moines, Iowa · 2022-23

Des Moines Public Schools

Serving 30,000 students in 65 schools, Des Moines Public Schools tracks near US averages. Math: 18% · Reading: 21% · Graduation: 81%.

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Reviewed by CodeOpx Data Team

Last updated: Aug 12, 2025Data: NCES CCD + state DOE 2022-23Report an error

Math proficiency

18%

District-wide

↓ 8.0% vs US

Reading proficiency

21%

District-wide

↓ 8.0% vs US

Graduation rate

81%

4-year

Enrollment

30,000

65 schools

Des proficiency

18% / 21%

"Des Moines Public Schools students reached 18% math proficiency and 21% reading proficiency in 2022-23, versus 27% / 28% state averages."

Source: NCES + Iowa DOE

Graduation rate

81%

"Des Moines Public Schools's 4-year graduation rate is 81%, below the US average of 87%."

Source: NCES

Spending per pupil

$13,700

"Des Moines Public Schools spends $13,700 per student annually, below the US average of $17,280."

Source: NCES 2022-23

Des Moines Public Schools · proficiency trend

% of students scoring proficient on state assessments. Local curves approximated from NAEP national trend where granular history is unavailable.

Data breakdown · Des Moines Public Schools

Versus state and national averages

Math proficiency

18%

here

27%

state

26%

US avg

↓ 31%

Reading proficiency

21%

here

28%

state

29%

US avg

↓ 28%

Graduation rate

81%

here

91%

state

87%

US avg

↓ 7%

Student-teacher ratio

14:1

here

14.5:1

state

15.4:1

US avg

↓ 9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible

73%

here

42.3%

state

52.1%

US avg

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People also search for about Des Moines Public Schools

Hand-curated related pages on CodeOpx.

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Methodology & data. District-level proficiency from state DOE rollups; enrollment and finance from NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23. CodeOpx School Score combines academics (40%), growth vs state (25%), equity (15%), graduation (10%), resources (10%). See /schools/methodology for the exact formula.

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People also ask about Des Moines Public Schools

Is Des Moines Public Schools a good school district?▾

Des Moines Public Schools earns a CodeOpx School Score of 39/100 (D, Below average). It tracks near US averages, with 18% math and 21% reading proficiency.

How many schools are in Des Moines Public Schools?▾

Des Moines Public Schools operates 65 public schools serving 30,000 students in and around Des Moines, Iowa.

What is Des Moines Public Schools's graduation rate?▾

Des Moines Public Schools's 4-year graduation rate is 81%, below the US average of 87%.

How much does Des Moines Public Schools spend per student?▾

Des Moines Public Schools spends approximately $13,700 per student per year (all funding sources), versus the US average of $17,280.

Where can I find Des Moines Public Schools school zone boundaries?▾

Attendance zones are published by Des Moines Public Schools directly. Census EDGE files provide school district boundaries; use the district's official site for granular school zone maps.