The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Math. The lowest is 29% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Monroe Elementary School
Monroe Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Des Moines, part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District. It sits in a residential area of Iowa’s capital city, a place known as the state’s commercial and governmental hub, with a strong insurance and financial services sector and a growing metropolitan population. The school itself operates in a large urban district and draws its student body from the surrounding neighborhood.
The student population is notably diverse and economically diverse. A large share of students come from low-income households, as reflected in the free and reduced-price lunch eligibility rate, and the racial and ethnic makeup spans multiple groups, with the largest being Black students, followed by Hispanic, Asian, and White students, along with smaller shares of multiracial and other backgrounds. This gives the school a richly varied peer environment. Data on students with disabilities or English learner status was not available in the information provided, so a parent may want to check with the school directly about the range of support services offered.
Academically, state assessment results from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress show that overall proficiency across math, English language arts, and science places Monroe Elementary in the bottom quarter when compared to other schools within Polk County districts. Proficiency rates in both math and reading are below the midpoint for the county, and science proficiency is lower still. Only a single year of test data was available, so there is no trend to indicate whether performance is improving or declining. Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to consider, nor are there advanced course offerings typically found at the high school level.
The housing market in the area around the school sits at a level that is broadly in line with statewide home values and below the national median, making it relatively more affordable than many parts of the country. Rental costs also reflect a modest level compared to national benchmarks. The Des Moines area has seen population growth and commercial development, including data-center investments by large tech firms, which signals ongoing economic activity. The city offers extensive parkland and trail systems, and the downtown core provides civic and cultural anchors such as the state capitol, an art center, and the fairgrounds.
Overall, Monroe Elementary serves a high-poverty, diverse community in a large urban district. Its academic results are below the county average across tested subjects, and a parent considering this school may want to ask about the specific instructional supports, early intervention programs, and enrichment opportunities available to students. The school is part of a district that oversees a broad range of programs across Des Moines, but no details about Monroe’s own offerings, such as art, music, or extended learning, were included in the available data. The neighborhood itself is in a growing metro area with relatively affordable housing and a mix of urban amenities.
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