Perkins Elementary School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

438 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Perkins Elementary School, located at 4301 College Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, is a key part of the Des Moines Public Schools district. Serving a diverse student population, the school is known for its commitment to academic growth, social-emotional learning, and fostering an inclusive community environment. It serves as a neighborhood hub, emphasizing strong partnerships between educators, students, and families to ensure that children develop the foundational skills necessary for success in middle school and beyond.

The school is particularly recognized for its dedication to meeting the varied needs of its students through a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. By offering a curriculum that balances core academic subjects with enrichment opportunities, Perkins Elementary strives to create a well-rounded educational experience. Its location near the Drake University area further contributes to a collegiate and community-oriented feel, often benefiting from the resources and engagement inherent in such a vibrant urban neighborhood.

438

Total Students

29.1

Full-Time Teachers

15.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

62.8%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Perkins Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	188
Hispanic	98
Black	85
Asian	22
Two or More	42
American Indian	2

White
188 (43.0%)
Hispanic
98 (22.4%)
Black
85 (19.5%)
Two or More
42 (9.6%)
Asian
22 (5.0%)
American Indian
2 (0.5%)

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)242-8430
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	438
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	29.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	244
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	31

* 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 67

Grade 1 63

Grade 2 80

Grade 3 71

Grade 4 69

Grade 5 88