At a glance
Reported students
392
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
23.47
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.7:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
65th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
380
Cowles Elementary School: 392 reported students.
State peer staffing position
95th percentile
16.7:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 304
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22.2
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.7:1
What the reported data says about Cowles Elementary School
Cowles Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–08 in Des Moines. It is one of 59 current school records connected to Des Moines Independent Comm School District. NCES reports 392 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 65th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.7:1, above the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (78.6%) and multiracial (9.2%). English learners represent 0.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 4.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Cowles Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 16.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 23.47 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 4.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 20.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White78.6%
- Hispanic7.7%
- Black1%
- Asian3.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial9.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Lovejoy Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
394 reported students
Samuelson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
386 reported students
Park Ave Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
380 reported students
Hubbell Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
362 reported students
South Union Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–06
422 reported students
Carver Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
436 reported students
Public schools near Cowles Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor Elementary Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 254 | 0.6 mi |
| Clive Learning Academy Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 551 | 0.7 mi |
| Hillis Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–06 | 279 | 0.8 mi |
| Horizon Science Academy DSM Elementary · Charter · Horizon Science Academy Des Moines | PK–05 | 150 | 1.2 mi |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 558 | 1.4 mi |
| Perkins Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 438 | 1.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Cowles Elementary School
What grades does Cowles Elementary School serve?
Cowles Elementary School reports grades PK–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
How many students attend Cowles Elementary School?
Cowles Elementary School reported 392 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 65th percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 304 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Cowles Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 16.7:1, based on 392 students and 23.47 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 13.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Cowles Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Cowles Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Des Moines Independent Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Cowles Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
20.2% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Cowles Elementary School in?
Cowles Elementary School is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District, based in Des Moines, IA, which operates 59 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Cowles Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Windsor Elementary (0.6 mi), Clive Learning Academy (0.7 mi), Hillis Elementary School (0.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.