The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 38% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Studebaker Elementary School
Studebaker Elementary School is a regular public school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, the capital city’s public school system. As an elementary school, Studebaker does not have a graduation rate; that metric applies only to high schools, and its absence here reflects the school’s grade band, not a gap in data.
The school’s student body is diverse. The largest group of students identifies as Hispanic, followed by white students, Black or African American students, students of two or more races, and a small number of Asian students. A substantial share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a measure of family economic need.
On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) for the most recent year of data, roughly two out of five students scored at the proficient level or above in math, about half reached that benchmark in English language arts, and a smaller share did so in science. When compared to other elementary and middle schools in Polk County, Studebaker’s overall proficiency across tested subjects places it in the bottom quartile. That positioning reflects a significant achievement gap relative to many peers in the county. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, including what academic interventions or supports are in place, though the data do not describe those programs.
The school’s daily context is shaped by its location in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and its most populous city. Des Moines serves as a hub for insurance and financial services, with major employers including Principal Financial Group, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Wells Fargo, and others. The city’s downtown is home to the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. The city maintains a large park and trail system, and its metro area population has grown in recent years, partly driven by tech-sector data centers built in the region by Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and Facebook. The school’s immediate neighborhood and walkability context were not detailed in available public records.
Housing around Studebaker is modestly priced relative to the broader national market. The estimated typical home value and typical rent for the area fall below what a national benchmark shows for home values, suggesting that buying a home here is more affordable than in many parts of the country. More detailed local housing data, including whether values are rising or falling in the immediate school attendance zone, were not available.
The available data do not include information on special education enrollment, English learner numbers, class sizes, teacher experience, or program offerings such as gifted education or specials. School discipline data and chronic absenteeism were also not reported for this school. A parent considering Studebaker would need to seek these from the school or district to get a fuller picture of the learning environment.
This is a school that serves a high-need population in a large urban district. Its test scores are an area where a family would want to understand what the school is doing to support student progress. The peer environment is economically and racially diverse. The housing market in the area is comparatively affordable, and the broader Des Moines region has a stable economic base.
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