The top reported proficiency rate is 63% in English language arts. The lowest is 46% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Windsor Elementary
Windsor Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. It is located on University Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and its most populous city, a place that functions as a mix of downtown commercial activity and residential neighborhoods across a broad area. Des Moines has a longstanding identity as a center for the insurance industry, with a sizable financial services and publishing base downtown, and its economy has recently attracted data-processing and logistical facilities from several major technology companies. The city maintains substantial parkland and an extensive trail network, and its civic life centers on landmarks such as the Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The metropolitan area has seen population growth in recent years, with annexation adding both land and residents.
Windsor’s enrollment is modest for an elementary school. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is majority white, with significant representation from Hispanic and Black students, a smaller Asian population, and a share of students who identify as two or more races. Data on special populations—students with Individualized Education Programs and English learners—was not available in the records reviewed, so a family interested in those supports would want to follow up directly with the school.
On state assessments given through the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, Windsor’s results show a mixed picture. Proficiency rates in math and English language arts are moderate, while in science they are lower. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades, which combines these results, places Windsor below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Polk County. Because only a single year of assessment data was available, it is not possible to see a trend. A parent may want to ask the school about its recent trajectory and how it works with students who are not yet at the proficient level.
The school’s grade span means there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, and course access were not available either. Those gaps can make it harder to get a full picture of the school’s environment and student support, so families may want to visit or request additional information directly.
For a family considering this area, the housing market in the surrounding zip code reflects home values that are somewhat below the national median, and rents are similarly positioned, making it a relatively accessible part of the metro. The larger Des Moines market has seen modest year-over-year increases in home values, and mortgage rates nationally have been in a typical range.
Windsor Elementary is one of many elementary options within the Des Moines district. Its moderate academic results on state tests, combined with missing data on several key indicators, mean that a parent who values transparency on student support services or is looking for a school with a stronger track record on state assessments would likely want to dig deeper. For others, the school’s size, its neighborhood setting within a capital city with a growing economy, and its diversity may be a fit worth exploring firsthand.
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