The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Math. The lowest is 30% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Howe Elementary
Howe Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Des Moines serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, Iowa’s largest district, and sits in the southern part of the city near the Indianola Avenue corridor. The school’s own life is shaped by two clear characteristics: a deeply diverse student body and a high concentration of economic need. A large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, well exceeding the district’s own average and placing the school in a context where many families face financial stress. Hispanic students make up the largest group, followed by white and Black students, with a noticeable presence of Asian students and a smaller share of multiracial children. This is a school where racial and ethnic diversity is the norm, not an exception.
In terms of academic performance, the most recent state testing results show a mixed picture. On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, proficiency in both math and English language arts sits at about the same level, with roughly two out of every five students meeting the state’s proficiency benchmark. Science proficiency is lower, with about three in ten students reaching that bar. When placed alongside other schools in Polk County, Howe’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quarter. That means the school’s academic achievement is lower than the typical school in the county, and well below the strongest performers. Because this is an elementary school and the data covers only grades three through five, there are no graduation rates or college-ready measures to consider; state testing is the primary academic window, and it suggests that many students are not yet at grade-level standards.
What is not clear from the available information is how the school supports the students who are not reaching proficiency. Data on special education enrollment, English learner services, and discipline were not reported in the collection, so a parent looking for a fuller picture of student support systems would need to ask directly. Similarly, there is no information about staffing ratios, course access, or program offerings such as gifted education, art, music, or extended-day activities. For a family weighing options, these are important gaps. The school’s Title I status—a common indicator of federal funding for high-poverty schools—was also not available, though the high free-and-reduced-price meal rate strongly suggests the school qualifies and operates with additional resources for academic intervention.
The surrounding housing market in the 50315 zip code is relatively moderate compared to national trends. Home values sit below both the national median and the state median for Iowa. Rents are also modest, making the area more affordable than many parts of the Des Moines metro. For a family with a school-age child, this might be one of the more budget-friendly neighborhoods in the city. The broader Des Moines metro has been growing, adding population and attracting major employers in insurance, financial services, and technology. The city itself has a mix of downtown anchors—the state capitol, the art center, the World Food Prize headquarters—and extensive park and trail infrastructure. But the school’s specific neighborhood character is not detailed in the available data beyond its street address.
For a parent or resident reading this account, a few things stand out. Howe Elementary is a high-diversity, high-need school where a large majority of children come from low-income households, and its academic results are on the lower end relative to Polk County’s other districts. The housing around it is affordable. The school’s support structures for English learners and students with disabilities are not documented in these data, which is itself worth investigating. If a family values a socioeconomically and racially integrated elementary setting and is comfortable with the academic performance level as presented, Howe is a straightforward neighborhood option. If strong standardized test scores are a top priority, the school’s current numbers suggest a softer fit, and a parent would want to learn more about how the school is working to raise achievement across all groups.
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