The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in Math. The lowest is 29% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Garton Elementary
Garton Elementary is a regular public school in the Des Moines Independent Community School District, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits in the eastern part of Iowa’s capital, a city that functions as the state’s commercial and governmental hub, anchored by the insurance and financial services industries. Des Moines is a growing metropolitan area, with major employers like Principal Financial Group and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and recent investment from tech companies building data and logistics facilities. The city’s park and trail system is extensive, and its downtown holds the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Garton’s student body numbers in the middle range for an elementary school of its grade band. The student population is diverse. The largest group of students identifies as Hispanic, followed by White students, then Asian students and Black students, with a smaller share identifying as two or more races. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need.
State testing results provide a snapshot of academic performance at Garton. In math, about half of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was lower, and in science it was lower still. A parent should be aware that, taken together, these results position the school’s overall proficiency in the bottom quarter when compared with other elementary schools across Polk County. The data represents a single year of testing, so no trend toward improvement or decline is available. Students in grades three through five are tested; the participation rate was strong in all subjects.
The school building itself is a regular, non-charter public school, and no magnet or Title I status was reported in the available data. No information was provided on the school’s discipline record, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or course access. Similarly, data on the share of students receiving special education services or English learner supports was missing from the profile. These are common gaps for an early-grades school and a parent may want to ask the school directly about its support structures for students who need additional academic help.
Housing in the ZIP code that includes Garton reflects home values well below the national median, and rents that are also lower than the national typical. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home in the area is roughly comparable to the cost of renting, with a slight financial edge to renting in the current market. For a family considering a move into the attendance zone, this places Garton in a relatively affordable corner of Des Moines.
Garton is a neighborhood elementary school with a diverse enrollment and a high rate of economic need among its families. Its math proficiency sits close to the halfway mark, while its English language arts and science scores are areas where a parent would want to understand what supports the school offers. The lack of multi-year data means it is not possible to say whether scores are moving in a particular direction. Families weighing this school will likely want to talk with the principal or visit to learn about academic interventions, enrichment programs, and how the school supports its large population of students from lower-income households.
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