At a glance
Reported students
292
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
16
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.3:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–PK
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa other enrollment
81st percentile
Compared with 52 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
380
Mitchell Early Childhood Center: 292 reported students.
State peer staffing position
61st percentile
18.3:1 reported; state peer median 17:1. 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
- Not reported
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17.3
- Student–teacher ratio
- Not reported
What the reported data says about Mitchell Early Childhood Center
Mitchell Early Childhood Center is a public combined / other school serving grades PK–PK in Des Moines. It is one of 59 current school records connected to Des Moines Independent Comm School District. NCES reports 292 students for 2024–25.
Among 52 combined / other schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 113.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 81st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.3:1, close to the Iowa median of 17:1 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 (34.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (29.5%). These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Mitchell Early Childhood Center
- 1How do the reported 18.3:1 student–teacher ratio and 16 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 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 67.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White34.6%
- Hispanic29.5%
- Black15.4%
- Asian11.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.3%
- Multiracial8.6%
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
Not reported as 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.
McKee Elementary School
Other · Grades PK–PK
235 reported students
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center
Other · Grades PK–PK
216 reported students
Jessie Franklin Taylor
Other · Grades PK–PK
195 reported students
Ruby Van Meter
Other · Grades KG–12
109 reported students
Greenwood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
293 reported students
Oak Park
Elementary · Grades KG–05
288 reported students
Public schools near Mitchell Early Childhood Center
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEN - Des Moines Prep Other · Charter · Opportunity Ed_Des Moines | 08–09 | — | 3.6 mi |
| Ruby Van Meter Other · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–12 | 109 | 4.4 mi |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Other · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–PK | 195 | 5.4 mi |
| McKee Elementary School Other · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–PK | 235 | 6.8 mi |
| Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Other · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–PK | 216 | 7.3 mi |
| Valley Southwoods Other · West Des Moines Comm School District | 09–09 | 678 | 7.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Mitchell Early Childhood Center
What grades does Mitchell Early Childhood Center serve?
Mitchell Early Childhood Center reports grades PK–PK in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a school in Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
How many students attend Mitchell Early Childhood Center?
Mitchell Early Childhood Center reported 292 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 81st percentile among 52 Iowa combined or other schools reporting enrollment.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Mitchell Early Childhood Center?
The calculated ratio is 18.3:1, based on 292 students and 16 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 17:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Mitchell Early Childhood Center a public, charter, or magnet school?
Mitchell Early Childhood Center 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 Mitchell Early Childhood Center students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
67.1% 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 Mitchell Early Childhood Center in?
Mitchell Early Childhood Center 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 Mitchell Early Childhood Center?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include OEN - Des Moines Prep (3.6 mi), Ruby Van Meter (4.4 mi), Jessie Franklin Taylor (5.4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.