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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Des Moines Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public preschools serving 5,964 students in Des Moines, IA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Des Moines, IA are Delaware Elementary School, Cornell Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 73%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 69% statewide average). Pre schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 28% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Des Moines, IA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Cornell Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5817 Ne 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 244-8173
Gr: PK-4 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2425 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8416
Gr: PK-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #55.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Gr: PK-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #77.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #88.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1541 8th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #99.
Garton Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2820 E 24th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Gr: PK-5 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1010.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
806 E Hoffman St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8420
Gr: PK-5 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1111.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1212.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
705 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Charter School
4801 Franklin Ave 2nd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Gr: PK-4 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
Jessie Franklin Taylor
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Gr: PK | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Mckee Elementary School
2115 E 39th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 323-8628
Gr: PK | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: n/an/a
Mitchell Early Childhood Center
111 Porter
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424
Gr: PK | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: n/an/a
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
4000 Lower Beaver Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8213
Gr: PK | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Des Moines, IA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Des Moines, IA include Delaware Elementary School, Cornell Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Des Moines?
17 public preschools are located in Des Moines.
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines?
Des Moines public preschools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?

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