At a glance
Reported students
260
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
17.78
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.6:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
33rd percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
467.5
Runnells Elementary: 260 reported students.
State peer staffing position
77th percentile
14.6:1 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
- 284
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19.41
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.6:1
What the reported data says about Runnells Elementary
Runnells Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Runnells. It is one of 11 current school records connected to Southeast Polk Comm School District. NCES reports 260 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 33rd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.6:1, close to 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 (83.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (7.7%). English learners represent 4.2% 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 Runnells Elementary
- 1How do the reported 14.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 17.78 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 0.5 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 4.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 10.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 26.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0.5
- 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
- White83.1%
- Hispanic7.7%
- Black3.5%
- Asian1.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial3.8%
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 Southeast Polk Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Mitchellville Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
255 reported students
Centennial Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
423 reported students
Altoona Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
429 reported students
Delaware Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
440 reported students
Four Mile Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
495 reported students
Willowbrook Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
523 reported students
Public schools near Runnells Elementary
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford Upper Elementary Elementary · Carlisle Comm School District | 04–05 | 303 | 4.7 mi |
| Carlisle Elementary School Elementary · Carlisle Comm School District | PK–03 | 715 | 7 mi |
| Four Mile Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 495 | 7.3 mi |
| Prairie City Elementary School Elementary · PCM Comm School District | 03–05 | 240 | 8.2 mi |
| Clay Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 700 | 9 mi |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | PK–05 | 241 | 9.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Runnells Elementary
What grades does Runnells Elementary serve?
Runnells Elementary reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Southeast Polk Comm School District.
How many students attend Runnells Elementary?
Runnells Elementary reported 260 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 33rd percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 284 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Runnells Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 14.6:1, based on 260 students and 17.78 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 Runnells Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Runnells Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Southeast Polk Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Runnells Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
26.9% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Runnells Elementary in?
Runnells Elementary is part of Southeast Polk Comm School District, based in Pleasant Hill, IA, which operates 11 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Runnells Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Hartford Upper Elementary (4.7 mi), Carlisle Elementary School (7 mi), Four Mile Elementary (7.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.