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Comparing Iowa Department of Education school ratings in 2024 vs. 2023

Metrics from enrollment, attendance and proficiency in various subjects can all be gathered from the ratings and scores.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Education has released its public school rankings for 2024.

Performance has improved in some areas for Iowa schools this year, notably in absenteeism following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students that were labelled as "chronically absent" following 2023, which means they missed 10% or more of the schoolyear for any reason, saw attendance growth by 2.18% this schoolyear.

Across the state, the percentage of students deemed proficient in English language arts and mathematics grew while the number of Iowa students meeting their benchmarks in the subject of science fell.

Official Iowa K-12 public schools 2024 metrics:

  • Enrollment478,692 (3,012 fewer than 2023)
  • Area Education Agencies (AEAs): 9 (Same as 2023)
  • Districts: 327 (One fewer than 2023)
  • Schools: 1,282 (13 fewer than 2023)

General trends

Schools rankings statewide (Index score range)

  • Exceptional (78.25% and above) 
    • 1.25% - Down from 2023's 1.62%
  • High Performing (69.60% - 78.24%) 
    • 12.40% - Up from 2023's 11.97%
  • Commendable (60.95% - 69.59%)
    • 32.06% - Down from 2023's 39.38%
  • Acceptable (52.30% - 60.94%)
    • 21.61% - Down from 2023's 32.20%
  • Needs Improvement (42.37% - 52.29%)
    • 17.86% - Up from 2023's 11.35%
  • Priority (42.36% and below)
    • 14.51% - Up from 2023's 3.47%

Subject specific proficiency statewide average

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 72.72% from 71.4%
  • Mathematics
    • Up to 69.81% from 69.5%
  • Science
    • Down to 61.55% from 62.44%

Specifically looking at Des Moines area school district proficiency

Des Moines Independent Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 50.48% from 2023's 49.27%
  • Mathematics
    • Up to 46.36% from 2023's 45.37%
  • Science
    • Down to 38.13% from 2023's 39.02%

West Des Moines Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 73.86% from 2023's 73.17%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 72.45% from 2023's 72.57%
  • Science
    • Down to 61.6% from 2023's 63.11%

Urbandale Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 74.41% from 2023's 71.92%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 68.32% from 2023's 71.66%
  • Science
    • Down to 59.55% from 2023's 60.31%

Norwalk Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 76.55% from 2023's 76.3%
  • Mathematics
    • Up to 80.29% from 2023's 77.4
  • Science
    • Down to 70.72% from 2023's 70.87%

Southeast Polk Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 73.78% from 2023's 73.51%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 72.81% from 2023's 75.91%
  • Science
    • Down to 60.7% from 2023's 66.54%

Johnston Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 82.7% from 2023's 81.84%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 79.79% from 2023's 80.34%
  • Science
    • Down to 72% from 2023's 72.4%

Waukee Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Down to 82.67% from 2023's 82.84%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 80.7% from 2023's 81.38%
  • Science
    • Down to 69.81% from 2023's 72.75%

Ankeny Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Down to 85.18% from 2023's 85.09%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 81.53% from 2023's 82.16%
  • Science
    • Down to 74.2% from 2023's 77.52%

Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Down to 84.55% from 2023's 84.57%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 80.2% from 2023's 82.16%
  • Science
    • Down to 71.45% from 2023's 77.76%

Saydel Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 58.52% from 2023's 57.61%
  • Mathematics
    • Down to 58.59% from 2023's 58.81%
  • Science
    • Down to 47.48% from 2023's 51.54%

Carlisle Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 76.22% from 2023's 71.46%
  • Mathematics
    • Up to 73.94% from 2023's 68.51%
  • Science
    • Up to 66.1% from 2023's 57.74%

Indianola Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up 75.95% from 2023's 73.97%
  • Mathematics
    • Up to 76.52% from 76.48%
  • Science
    • Down to 61.34% from 2023's 68.76%

Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

  • English Language Arts
    • Up to 75.85% from 2023's 74.34%
  • Mathematics
    • Up to 73.58% from 2023's 72.13%
  • Science
    • Down to 67.09% from 2023's 68.84%


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