Serving 269 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Mckinley Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35-39% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 40-44% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 29% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 269 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 70%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in IA
- Math Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 21-39% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Mckinley Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Student Attention
School Overview
Mckinley Elementary School's student population of 269 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 22 teachers has declined by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
269 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
School Calendar
School Rankings
Mckinley Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Mckinley Elementary School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.47. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1192 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
63%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
5%
3%
Hispanic
45%
13%
Black
11%
7%
White
30%
71%
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
9%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
75%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mckinley Elementary School's ranking?
Mckinley Elementary School is ranked #1192 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are Mckinley Elementary School often compared to?
Mckinley Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Mckee Elementary School, Howe Elementary School, Downtown School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 40-44% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
How many students attend Mckinley Elementary School?
269 students attend Mckinley Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
45% of Mckinley Elementary School students are Hispanic, 30% of students are White, 11% of students are Black, 9% of students are Two or more races, and 5% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Mckinley Elementary School?
Mckinley Elementary School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Mckinley Elementary School offer ?
Mckinley Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Mckinley Elementary School part of?
Mckinley Elementary School is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is Mckinley Elementary School located?
Mckinley Elementary School is located in the McKinley School And Columbus Park neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.
School Reviews
Review Mckinley Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
