Cowles Elementary School
🇺🇸 Official data · 2025Des Moines, Iowa 50324 · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
#108 of 654 elementary schools in Iowa
#2510 of 50,301 nationally
About Cowles Elementary School
Cowles Elementary School is a public elementary located in Des Moines, in the Des Moines Independent Comm School District school district of Iowa, United States. It caters for Grades PK–8. In 2025 it enrolled 392 students. Traditional public schools run by a school district; free to attend.
Its Success Index (US) is 84.8 out of 100, placing it in the top 5% of elementary schools in United States and 108th of 654 ranked elementary schools in Iowa. Its strongest component is reading proficiency (99th percentile), and its weakest is students per teacher (28th percentile).
Other published figures: enrollment 392.
There are 64 schools in Des Moines; Cowles Elementary School ranks 2nd of 60 scored schools there.
Success Index (US) breakdown
Each component is a percentile against elementary schools across United States.
- Math proficiency (30%)83%
- Reading proficiency (30%)88%
- Community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (25%)20.2%
- Students per teacher (15%)17.0
The Success Index (US) summarises published data about a school community. It is not a measure of teaching quality. Read the methodology.
Published measures
All figures published for Cowles Elementary School by the official sources.
- Enrollment
- 392
- Students enrolled in the latest NCES directory year.
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 20.2%
- Share of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
- Students per teacher
- 17.0
- Enrollment divided by FTE teachers; not class size.
- Reading proficiency
- 88%
- Share of tested students proficient or above (all students, all grades).
- Math proficiency
- 83%
- Share of tested students proficient or above (all students, all grades).
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Schools near Cowles Elementary School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (US).
Windsor Elementary
Des Moines · Public elementary · Grades K–5
254 students · 1.0 km away
Clive Learning Academy
Des Moines · Public elementary · Grades PK–6
551 students · 1.1 km away
Hillis Elementary School
Des Moines · Public elementary · Grades K–5
279 students · 1.3 km away
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Des Moines · Charter elementary · Grades PK–4
150 students · 1.9 km away
Crestview School of Inquiry
Clive · Public elementary · Grades PK–6
558 students · 2.3 km away
Perkins Elementary School
Des Moines · Public elementary · Grades K–5
438 students · 2.4 km away
Karen Acres Elementary School
Urbandale · Public elementary · Grades K–5
233 students · 2.4 km away
Moore Elementary School
Des Moines · Public elementary · Grades K–5
285 students · 2.7 km away
Roosevelt High School
Des Moines · Public high · Grades 9–12
2,051 students · 2.8 km away
Merrill Middle School
Des Moines · Public middle · Grades 6–8
657 students · 3.0 km away
Similar schools
Public elementary schools in Iowa with a comparable Enrollment.
Garfield Elementary School
Davenport · Public elementary · Grades K–5
393 students
Atkins Elementary School
Atkins · Public elementary · Grades PK–3
394 students
Lovejoy Elementary School
Des Moines · Public elementary · Grades K–5
394 students
Bronson Elementary School
Bronson · Public elementary · Grades PK–6
390 students
McKinley Elementary School
Muscatine · Public elementary · Grades K–6
394 students
Northeast Elementary School
Goose Lake · Public elementary · Grades PK–5
394 students
Frequently asked questions
Is Cowles Elementary School a good school?
Cowles Elementary School has a Success Index (US) of 84.8 out of 100 (Top 5% of elementary schools in United States) and ranks #108 of 654 in Iowa. The index summarises published data about the school community and, where available, attainment; it does not measure teaching quality, so visit the school and ask about support at your child's level.
Where does Cowles Elementary School rank in Iowa?
Cowles Elementary School ranks #108 of 654 elementary schools in Iowa and #2510 of 50,301 nationally on the Success Index (US) (2025 data).
How many students attend Cowles Elementary School?
Cowles Elementary School had 392 students in 2025.
Is Cowles Elementary School a elementary school or a high school?
Cowles Elementary School is classified as a elementary covering Grades PK–8. It is a public school.
What other schools are near Cowles Elementary School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of Cowles Elementary School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (US) and distance, and can be compared side by side.