The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Morris Elementary School
Morris Elementary School is a regular public school in Des Moines serving kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, the public school system of Iowa’s capital city. The school sits within a city that functions as a state government hub and a national center for the insurance and financial services industries, with a metro population that has grown in recent years. Des Moines operates over 46 neighborhoods across roughly 90 square miles, offering substantial parkland and trail networks along with downtown cultural anchors such as the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, the most recent results show roughly half of Morris students scoring at the proficient level or above in English language arts, and a similar share in math. Science proficiency, which is tested across a narrower grade range within the school, was lower. These scores place the school’s overall proficiency index in the bottom quarter relative to other districts in Polk County. State testing participation was high, which strengthens the reliability of the results for a single year. Only one year of assessment data is available in the school’s records, so there is no way to determine whether performance is improving or declining over time. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate is reported, and several other common metrics such as chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, and staffing ratios were not available in the data provided. A parent may want to inquire with the school directly for a fuller picture of daily operations and student supports.
The student body is moderately sized for an elementary school. A large majority of students come from households with incomes low enough to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The student population is racially and ethnically diverse, with no single group holding a majority. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by white students, then Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. Data on students receiving special education services or English learner supports is not available in the school’s records.
Housing in the school’s immediate area is relatively affordable compared to Iowa as a whole. Home values and rents in the zip code sit below the statewide medians, making this pocket of the metro more accessible to households seeking lower housing costs. The broader Des Moines area has seen economic development including data centers and facility expansions from major national companies, though specific new housing development in the immediate neighborhood is not detailed in the available information.
The school is a standard attendance-zone elementary within a large urban district. Its academic results are lower than most other schools in the county, a pattern that often correlates with the high poverty level of the student population. For a family weighing school options in Des Moines, Morris Elementary offers a diverse peer environment and a neighborhood setting with affordable housing nearby, but proficiency outcomes are a soft spot that warrants direct conversation with the school about what academic interventions and enrichment are in place.
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