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D−

Ruby Van Meter

PublicOtherGrades K–12Special Education School

710 28th St, Des Moines, IA 50312 · (515) 242-8220 · Part of Des Moines Independent Community School District

Des Moines’ School Grade D− better than 2% of Iowa school districts

Directions
Students
109
Students per teacher
5:1
Free or reduced lunch
72%
Setting
City
Grades
K–12
The gist

What stands out about Ruby Van Meter

  • Its own letter, D−: reading and math results near the bottom of Iowa’s public schools
  • Math proficiency 59 pts below the state
  • Reading / language arts 63 pts below the state
  • Small classes: 5 students per teacher
  • Enrollment down 15.5% since 2020–21

Test scores

2020–21
Math proficiency5%
State average 64.2%
Reading / language arts5%
State average 67.8%

Its own letter, D−, places these results among Iowa’s 1,177 public schools with results. Source: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Location

Directions ↗

710 28th St, Des Moines

Students

Enrollment by grade
Kindergarten4
Grade 12
Grade 22
Grade 31
Grade 43
Grade 57
Grade 65
Grade 78
Grade 89
Grade 94
Grade 1013
Grade 1111
Grade 1240
Enrollment over time
129’20
116’21
113’22
112’23
109’24

Down 15.5% since 2020–21.

Who goes here
White 45%Hispanic 29%Black 17%Two or more races 6%Asian <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

As reported to NCES, share of students with a reported race or ethnicity.

Parents talk

Questions and answers about Ruby Van Meter from Des Moines families.

Other schools in Des Moines Independent Community School District

The district →
Garton Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Des Moines
D−
535 students15:1
Capitol View Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Des Moines
D−
533 students13:1
Jackson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Des Moines
D
490 students15:1
Moulton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Des Moines
D−
465 students14:1
Carver Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Des Moines
D−
436 students14:1
Cowles Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Des Moines
A
392 students17:1

School facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), 2024–2025 school year. Test scores: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21). A school’s letter is our own summary of its reading and math results against Iowa’s other public schools; Des Moines’s School Grade is built from its districts’ results. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.