The top reported proficiency rate is 97% in Math. The lowest is 85% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Runnells Elementary
Runnells Elementary serves children from preschool through fifth grade in the Southeast Polk Community School District. The school is located in the very small, primarily residential town of Runnells, which sits in the southeastern corner of Polk County as part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines metro area. The town has its own post office and city government, but the homes are spread out in a low-density, car-dependent layout. Most residents drive alone to work.
The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. It draws its students from this small community and the surrounding rural area. Because Runnells Elementary only serves early and elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report for this school. This is expected given the grade band it covers.
The academic picture is what stands out. On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, the school’s performance is notably strong. In mathematics, the vast majority of students scored at or above the proficiency benchmark. In English language arts, proficiency was also very high, with most students meeting the standard. Science testing, which is administered to a narrower grade range, showed a strong result as well, though slightly lower than math and reading. When compared to other school districts across Polk County, Runnells Elementary places in the top quartile on a measure of overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. This pattern suggests a school where most students are meeting grade-level expectations at a rate that stands out relative to its regional peers.
The school enrolled a modest number of students. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic students, Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. Roughly one-third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students receiving special education services or English learner support was missing from what was reported.
Runnells is a town of modest size that has seen some fluctuation in population and rising home values. Employment in the town grew recently, and the largest local industries are construction, health care and social assistance, and retail trade. The housing market in the broader area shows home prices that are higher than the state average, reflecting some upward pressure. The typical monthly mortgage cost in the area would be notable relative to rent, which may factor into a family’s budget considerations. The median household income in the area sits at a level that makes homeownership possible for many but not all.
A search for recent changes or developments in the Southeast Polk district did not turn up information of lasting impact. The district brief returned little for the most recent period, so a parent looking for upcoming program shifts, boundary changes, or facility updates would need to contact the district directly.
For a family considering Runnells Elementary, the core message is straightforward. This is a small elementary school in a quiet, residential corner of the Des Moines metro area where the academic results on state tests are consistently strong and place the school among the higher-performing set in its county. The student body is not highly diverse, and the share of families from lower-income backgrounds is moderate. The town itself is car-dependent and compact, with a limited number of civic amenities, but it sits within the larger Polk County economy. A family who values a school where most children are meeting academic benchmarks and who is comfortable with a small-town, commuter-oriented setting would find this school fits well.
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