Park Ave Elementary School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

380 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Park Avenue Elementary School, located in the historic area of South Des Moines, Iowa, serves as a foundational learning institution within the Des Moines Public Schools district. The school is deeply integrated into its surrounding community, emphasizing a supportive environment where staff and families work collaboratively to meet the diverse academic and social-emotional needs of its students. Its location on SW 9th Street places it at the heart of the neighborhood, acting as a central hub for local families.

Academically, Park Avenue Elementary is dedicated to fostering growth through a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for success in middle school and beyond. The school places a high priority on inclusivity and character development, aiming to provide a safe, welcoming atmosphere where every student is encouraged to achieve their personal best. With a focus on engagement and personalized instruction, the school strives to bridge educational gaps and cultivate a lifelong love of learning among its student body.

380

Total Students

28.7

Full-Time Teachers

13.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

82.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Park Ave Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	148
Hispanic	105
Black	84
Asian	17
Two or More	20
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	3

White
148 (38.9%)
Hispanic
105 (27.6%)
Black
84 (22.1%)
Two or More
20 (5.3%)
Asian
17 (4.5%)
American Indian
3 (0.8%)
Pacific Islander
3 (0.8%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Phone:	(515)242-8429
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	380
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	28.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	290
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	24

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 62

Grade 1 53

Grade 2 72

Grade 3 63

Grade 4 62

Grade 5 68