At a glance
Reported students
493
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
42.76
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
11.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
84th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
380
River Woods Elementary School: 493 reported students.
State peer staffing position
18th percentile
11.5:1 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
- 518
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37.6
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.8:1
What the reported data says about River Woods Elementary School
River Woods Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Des Moines. It is one of 59 current school records connected to Des Moines Independent Comm School District. NCES reports 493 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 84th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 11.5:1, below 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 Hispanic or Latino (46.9%) and Black (18.9%). English learners represent 50.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 10.6%. 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 River Woods Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 11.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 42.76 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 1.6 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
- 50.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 10.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 86.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1.6
- 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
- White12%
- Hispanic46.9%
- Black18.9%
- Asian17.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4.5%
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.
Jackson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
490 reported students
Morris Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
519 reported students
Moulton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
465 reported students
Capitol View Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
533 reported students
Garton Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
535 reported students
Perkins Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
438 reported students
Public schools near River Woods 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–05 | 490 | 1 mi |
| Howe Elementary Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 297 | 1.4 mi |
| McKinley Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–05 | 275 | 1.9 mi |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 394 | 2.1 mi |
| South Union Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–06 | 422 | 2.1 mi |
| Willard Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 247 | 2.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about River Woods Elementary School
What grades does River Woods Elementary School serve?
River Woods Elementary School reports grades KG–05 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 River Woods Elementary School?
River Woods Elementary School reported 493 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 84th percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 518 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at River Woods Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 11.5:1, based on 493 students and 42.76 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 River Woods Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
River Woods 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 River Woods Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
86.8% 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 River Woods Elementary School in?
River Woods 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 River Woods Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Jackson Elementary School (1 mi), Howe Elementary (1.4 mi), McKinley Elementary School (1.9 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.