The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Math. The lowest is 42% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Willard Elementary School
Willard Elementary School is a regular public school in Des Moines, Iowa, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Des Moines Independent Community School District. The student body is racially and ethnically diverse: roughly two-fifths of students are Hispanic, about a third are white, and smaller shares are black, Asian, or multiracial. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which signals high economic need. Data on the share of students receiving special education services or learning English as a second language was not available in the records reviewed.
State assessment results for the 2024-25 school year show that math proficiency was higher than English language arts proficiency, and science proficiency was the lowest of the three tested subjects. When compared against other schools in Polk County, Willard’s overall proficiency across subjects falls in the bottom quarter. Participation rates on the tests were high, so the results represent nearly all enrolled students. Only a single year of testing data exists in the available record, so there is no way to describe an upward or downward trend. Because the school serves only elementary grades, it has no graduation rate.
The school is located in a residential area of Iowa’s capital and most populous city. Des Moines is a major center for insurance and financial services, with employers such as Principal Financial Group and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield headquartered downtown. Wells Fargo, Voya Financial, and Nationwide also have large operations in the metro. The city maintains extensive parkland and miles of trails, and civic anchors include the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. The metropolitan area has seen population growth in recent years, aided by tech companies building data-processing facilities in the region. Home values in the area around Willard are lower than the statewide average and well below national norms, making the neighborhood relatively affordable.
No information was provided about the school’s programs beyond standard grade-level instruction—details on music, art, physical education, or any specialized academic tracks were not included in the sources used. Likewise, data on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, and teacher qualifications was absent. A family considering Willard would be wise to contact the school directly to learn about enrichment opportunities, student support services, and the day-to-day learning environment.
The available evidence describes an elementary school serving many students from low-income households, with academic performance that is lower than most other schools in Polk County. That is not a complete story of any child’s experience, but it gives a realistic starting point for parents weighing their options within Des Moines.
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