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Des Moines Independent Comm School District

Item: Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

2100 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, IA 50321

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (515) 242-7911

www.dmschools.org

Top Rankings

Des Moines Independent Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:

Overview

This School District

This State (IA)

# Schools

59 Schools

1,323 Schools

# Students

29,676 Students

497,928 Students

# Teachers

1,894 Teachers

35,028 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

16:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
Pre-K	1,390	70
Kind	2,038	108
1	2,163	102
2	2,274	104
3	2,265	108
4	2,082	107
5	2,245	109
6	2,050	108
7	1,977	109
8	2,051	107
9	2,087	114
10	2,205	116
11	2,262	117
12	2,587	117

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District Rank

Des Moines Independent Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 73% has decreased from 81% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (IA)

#325 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2023	#325
2022	#327
2021	#327
2019	#329
2018	#331
2017	#330
2016	#333
2015	#337
2014	#340
2013	#344
2012	#344

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43%

68%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2023	43%	68%
2022	40%	64%
2021	43%	64%
2019	49%	69%
2018	55%	76%
2017	58%	77%
2016	60%	78%
2015	61%	79%
2014	61%	79%
2013	60%	77%
2012	59%	76%

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49%

70%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2022	49%	70%
2021	46%	68%
2019	47%	68%
2018	55%	74%
2017	59%	75%
2016	61%	75%
2015	61%	76%
2014	60%	76%
2013	57%	72%
2012	56%	71%
2011	62%	76%

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41%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2022	41%	63%
2021	37%	60%

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73%

90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2023	73%	90%
2022	76%	90%
2021	75%	87%
2020	77%	89%
2019	83%	88%
2018	81%	89%
2017	82%	89%
2016	81%	88%
2015	78%	88%
2014	82%	89%
2013	79%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.75

0.48

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2024	0.75	0.48
2023	0.75	0.46
2022	0.75	0.45
2021	0.74	0.43
2020	0.74	0.42
2019	0.74	0.42
2018	0.72	0.39
2017	0.72	0.39
2016	0.72	0.38
2015	0.71	0.38
2014	0.71	0.37
2013	0.70	0.35
2012	0.70	0.34
2011	0.68	0.34
2010	0.67	0.32
2009	0.60	0.29
2008	0.58	0.28
2007	0.57	0.26
2006	0.55	0.23
2005	0.54	0.24
2004	0.52	0.22
2003	0.51	0.21
2002	0.49	0.20
2001	0.47	0.20
2000	0.43	0.15
1999	0.44	0.16
1998	0.43	0.15
1997	0.42	0.13
1996	0.39	0.13
1995	0.39	0.13
1994	0.36	0.13
1993	0.35	0.11
1992	0.33	0.10
1991	0.32	0.10
1990	0.32	0.10
1989	0.32	0.10
1988	0.31	0.10

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2001-2010)
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2010	1%	1%
2008	1%	1%
2007	1%	1%
2006	1%	1%
2005	1%	1%
2004	1%	1%
2003	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2024	8%	3%
2023	8%	2%
2022	9%	3%
2021	9%	3%
2020	9%	3%
2019	9%	3%
2018	8%	2%
2017	8%	2%
2016	8%	2%
2015	7%	3%
2014	7%	3%
2013	8%	3%
2012	8%	2%
2011	6%	2%
2010	5%	2%
2009	6%	2%
2008	5%	2%
2007	5%	2%
2006	5%	2%
2005	5%	2%
2004	5%	2%
2003	5%	2%
2002	5%	2%
2001	5%	2%
2000	4%	1%
1999	5%	2%
1998	5%	2%
1997	5%	2%
1996	5%	2%
1995	6%	2%
1994	5%	2%
1993	5%	1%
1992	5%	1%
1991	5%	1%
1990	4%	1%
1989	4%	1%
1988	4%	1%

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% Hispanic

32%

14%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2024	30%	13%
2023	30%	13%
2022	29%	12%
2021	28%	12%
2020	27%	11%
2019	27%	11%
2018	26%	11%
2017	26%	11%
2016	25%	10%
2015	25%	11%
2014	24%	10%
2013	23%	9%
2012	22%	9%
2011	22%	9%
2010	21%	8%
2009	17%	7%
2008	16%	7%
2007	15%	6%
2006	15%	5%
2005	13%	5%
2004	12%	5%
2003	11%	4%
2002	10%	4%
2001	9%	4%
2000	7%	2%
1999	7%	3%
1998	6%	3%
1997	5%	2%
1996	4%	2%
1995	4%	2%
1994	3%	2%
1993	3%	2%
1992	2%	1%
1991	2%	1%
1990	2%	1%
1989	2%	1%
1988	2%	1%

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% Black

22%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2024	21%	7%
2023	21%	7%
2022	21%	7%
2021	21%	7%
2020	20%	6%
2019	20%	6%
2018	19%	6%
2017	19%	6%
2016	18%	6%
2015	18%	5%
2014	18%	5%
2013	17%	5%
2012	17%	5%
2011	17%	5%
2010	17%	5%
2009	19%	6%
2008	18%	6%
2007	17%	5%
2006	17%	4%
2005	16%	5%
2004	16%	4%
2003	15%	4%
2002	15%	4%
2001	15%	4%
2000	14%	3%
1999	15%	4%
1998	14%	3%
1997	14%	3%
1996	14%	3%
1995	13%	3%
1994	13%	3%
1993	13%	3%
1992	12%	3%
1991	11%	3%
1990	12%	3%
1989	12%	3%
1988	12%	3%

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% White

31%

70%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2024	33%	71%
2023	34%	72%
2022	35%	73%
2021	36%	74%
2020	38%	75%
2019	38%	75%
2018	41%	77%
2017	41%	77%
2016	43%	78%
2015	44%	78%
2014	45%	79%
2013	46%	80%
2012	47%	81%
2011	49%	81%
2010	51%	82%
2009	58%	84%
2008	60%	84%
2007	62%	86%
2006	62%	88%
2005	65%	87%
2004	66%	88%
2003	68%	89%
2002	69%	89%
2001	70%	89%
2000	74%	94%
1999	72%	91%
1998	74%	92%
1997	75%	93%
1996	77%	93%
1995	76%	93%
1994	79%	93%
1993	79%	94%
1992	81%	95%
1991	82%	95%
1990	82%	95%
1989	82%	95%
1988	82%	95%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2024	7%	5%
2023	7%	5%
2022	6%	5%
2021	6%	4%
2020	6%	4%
2019	6%	4%
2018	6%	4%
2017	6%	4%
2016	6%	4%
2015	6%	3%
2014	6%	3%
2013	6%	3%
2012	6%	3%
2011	6%	2%
2010	5%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,894 is higher than the state median of $16,592. The school district revenue/student has grown by 22% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $17,302 is higher than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

This School District

This State (IA)

Total Revenue

$590 MM

$8,262 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$590 MM	$12 MM
2022	$532 MM	$11 MM
2021	$590 MM	$12 MM
2020	$532 MM	$11 MM
2019	$525 MM	$11 MM
2018	$509 MM	$10 MM
2017	$497 MM	$10 MM
2016	$483 MM	$10 MM
2015	$387 MM	$7 MM
2014	$443 MM	$9 MM
2012	$431 MM	$9 MM
2011	$414 MM	$8 MM
2010	$387 MM	$7 MM
2009	$399 MM	$7 MM
2008	$383 MM	$7 MM
2007	$365 MM	$7 MM
2006	$352 MM	$6 MM
2005	$343 MM	$6 MM
2004	$330 MM	$6 MM
2003	$327 MM	$6 MM
2002	$313 MM	$6 MM
2001	$307 MM	$5 MM
2000	$263 MM	$5 MM
1999	$246 MM	$5 MM
1998	$239 MM	$5 MM
1997	$220 MM	$4 MM
1996	$209 MM	$4 MM
1995	$202 MM	$4 MM

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Spending

$513 MM

$8,048 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$513 MM	$11 MM
2022	$494 MM	$11 MM
2021	$513 MM	$11 MM
2020	$494 MM	$11 MM
2019	$504 MM	$10 MM
2018	$497 MM	$10 MM
2017	$485 MM	$10 MM
2016	$489 MM	$10 MM
2015	$390 MM	$7 MM
2014	$448 MM	$8 MM
2012	$416 MM	$8 MM
2011	$405 MM	$8 MM
2010	$390 MM	$7 MM
2009	$382 MM	$7 MM
2008	$389 MM	$7 MM
2007	$376 MM	$6 MM
2006	$340 MM	$6 MM
2005	$304 MM	$6 MM
2004	$332 MM	$6 MM
2003	$337 MM	$6 MM
2002	$315 MM	$6 MM
2001	$288 MM	$6 MM
2000	$262 MM	$5 MM
1999	$239 MM	$5 MM
1998	$232 MM	$5 MM
1997	$225 MM	$4 MM
1996	$209 MM	$4 MM
1995	$199 MM	$4 MM

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Revenue / Student

$19,894

$16,592

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$19,498	$15,936
2022	$16,184	$14,700
2021	$18,852	$16,172
2020	$16,184	$14,700
2019	$15,840	$14,749
2018	$15,202	$14,230
2017	$14,898	$14,844
2016	$14,593	$14,113
2015	$11,796	$11,259
2014	$12,945	$13,301
2012	$12,872	$12,751
2011	$12,502	$12,165
2010	$11,817	$11,259
2009	$12,622	$11,087
2008	$11,938	$10,485
2007	$11,450	$10,103
2006	$10,979	$9,628
2005	$10,659	$9,167
2004	$10,606	$8,727
2003	$10,363	$8,857
2002	$9,786	$8,158
2001	$9,458	$7,654
2000	$8,361	$7,180
1999	$7,846	$6,993
1998	$7,556	$6,548
1997	$6,994	$6,347
1995	$6,575	$5,735
1992	$5,424	$5,300

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Spending / Student

$17,302

$16,163

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$16,958	$15,133
2022	$15,011	$14,340
2021	$16,395	$15,357
2020	$15,011	$14,340
2019	$15,206	$14,216
2018	$14,825	$13,767
2017	$14,534	$14,379
2016	$14,789	$14,161
2015	$11,895	$11,298
2014	$13,091	$12,593
2012	$12,433	$12,000
2011	$12,225	$11,589
2010	$11,917	$11,298
2009	$12,074	$10,614
2008	$12,134	$9,706
2007	$11,812	$9,439
2006	$10,612	$9,204
2005	$9,458	$8,457
2004	$10,677	$8,450
2003	$10,681	$8,908
2002	$9,831	$8,409
2001	$8,874	$7,961
2000	$8,321	$7,433
1999	$7,602	$7,234
1998	$7,351	$6,713
1997	$7,161	$6,475
1995	$6,454	$5,710
1992	$5,839	$5,398

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Des Moines Independent Comm School District?

Des Moines Independent Comm School District manages 58 public schools serving 29,676 students.

What is the rank of Des Moines Independent Comm School District?

Des Moines Independent Comm School District is ranked #324 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?

32% of Des Moines Independent Comm School District students are Hispanic, 31% of students are White, 22% of students are Black, 8% of students are Asian, and 7% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Des Moines Independent Comm School District?

Des Moines Independent Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.

What is Des Moines Independent Comm School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $17,302 is higher than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 59 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 29,676 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 70%
: 73% (Top 50% in IA)
: Bottom 50%
: 43% (Btm 50%)
: 49% (Btm 50%)
: 41% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education