The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Math. The lowest is 76% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Cornell Elementary School
Cornell Elementary School serves prekindergarten through fourth grade and is part of the Saydel Community School District in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and largest city. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to employers like Principal Financial Group and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a metro population that has grown in recent years. The school sits in the northeastern part of the city, and its attendance zone draws from a segment of the Des Moines housing market.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic population and a modest number of students who identify as two or more races. A little over a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, marking a moderate level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a family with children in either category would want to ask the school directly about those supports.
On the 2024-25 Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, Cornell’s students posted strong results. In math, about four out of five students scored at or above the proficient level, and in English language arts, more than three out of four did. Those proficiency rates place the school above the midpoint among districts in Polk County, signaling solid academic performance relative to its local peers. Because this is the only year of data available for the school, there is no trend line to show improvement or decline.
The school serves grades PK-4, which means it does not have a graduation rate to report. That is standard for an elementary school.
Cornell is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. It operates under the governance of the Saydel Community School District, a system that has undergone significant structural changes that directly affect families. In 2024, the district became the first traditional public school district in the Des Moines metro to adopt a four-day school week. School days are longer to meet state instructional time requirements. The board made this change after community forums and surveys showed majority family support, citing teacher recruitment and retention, budget pressures, and declining enrollment as key reasons. This is a permanent shift in the weekly schedule, and any family considering Cornell must weigh how a four-day week fits their childcare, routines, and logistics.
Separately, in early 2024 the district approved a multi-year budget reduction plan aimed at cutting a sizable sum from its budget due to shrinking enrollment and state funding shortfalls. The cuts include reduced transportation costs and fewer field trips, but the plan avoids layoffs. A family enrolling at Cornell should be aware that the district is managing financial constraints that may affect some services and activities.
Housing in the area around Cornell carries a home value that is modest relative to the state and national benchmarks, and rents have risen notably year over year. The gap between estimated monthly mortgage costs and rent is relatively small, which may make homebuying a realistic option for some families compared to renting. The broader Des Moines area has seen economic development from major tech companies building data facilities, though specific new housing developments near the school were not detailed.
The school’s academic performance, based on the single year of testing data available, is a clear strength. The four-day week and district budget adjustments are the main contextual factors a family will want to explore further, particularly around how longer school days and reduced scheduling options fit their household.
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