At a glance
Reported students
150
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
8.02
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.7:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
10th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
150
Horizon Science Academy DSM: 150 reported students.
State peer staffing position
98th percentile
18.7:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
What the reported data says about Horizon Science Academy DSM
Horizon Science Academy DSM is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Des Moines. It is one of 1 current school records connected to Horizon Science Academy Des Moines. NCES reports 150 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 10th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.7:1, 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 (45.3%) and Black (27.3%). These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Horizon Science Academy DSM
- 1How do the reported 18.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 8.02 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?
- 3How many counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers currently serve students?
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 79.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White45.3%
- Hispanic14%
- Black27.3%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial13.3%
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.
Public schools near Horizon Science Academy DSM
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perkins Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 438 | 0.5 mi |
| Hillis Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–06 | 279 | 0.6 mi |
| Cowles Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–08 | 392 | 1.2 mi |
| Moore Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 285 | 1.2 mi |
| Windsor Elementary Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 254 | 1.2 mi |
| Monroe Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 341 | 1.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Horizon Science Academy DSM
What grades does Horizon Science Academy DSM serve?
Horizon Science Academy DSM reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Horizon Science Academy Des Moines.
How many students attend Horizon Science Academy DSM?
Horizon Science Academy DSM reported 150 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 10th percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Horizon Science Academy DSM?
The calculated ratio is 18.7:1, based on 150 students and 8.02 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 Horizon Science Academy DSM a public, charter, or magnet school?
Horizon Science Academy DSM is a public school operating as a charter school. Admission can involve an application or lottery, so check enrollment windows with the school.
What share of Horizon Science Academy DSM students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
79.3% 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 Horizon Science Academy DSM in?
Horizon Science Academy DSM is part of Horizon Science Academy Des Moines, based in Des Moines, IA, which operates 1 current school. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Horizon Science Academy DSM?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Perkins Elementary School (0.5 mi), Hillis Elementary School (0.6 mi), Cowles Elementary School (1.2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.