D
Needs Improvement
38/100

Hillis Elementary School

📚 K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 2401 56th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
Overall
D
38/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
Reading 47% · Math 42% proficient · 6th percentile in Iowa
Resources
B+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Iowa schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

38
Repit Score
out of 100
291
Students
enrolled
12.1:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$16K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)75%6/100reading 9th percentile, math 4th percentile among Iowa elementary schools (2018–19 state tests)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%84/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 76% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Iowa schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −14 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Iowa. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency47% (−22 pts vs. state avg 69%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency42% (−27 pts vs. state avg 69%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Iowa state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White57%57%reading -16 pts, math -19 pts9th percentile (list)
Black30%10%reading -3 pts, math -26 pts9th percentile (list)
Hispanic35%35%reading -13 pts, math -19 pts3rd percentile (list)
Low-income37%37%reading -16 pts, math -20 pts4th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 2401 56th St
City Des Moines
ZIP Code 50310
District 1908970
NCES School ID 190897000541
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 50310

Understanding the community around Hillis Elementary School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $73,369
Per Capita Income $36,096
Poverty Rate 6.7%
Households Earning $100K+ 30.1%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 35.7%
High School or Higher 86.4%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $197,000
Median Rent $1,012
Owner-Occupied 69.6%
Renter-Occupied 30.4%
View full data for ZIP 50310 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 50310 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 50310 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Hillis Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 54.0%
Female 46.1%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 36.1%
Hispanic/Latino 24.7%
Black 17.9%
Asian 12.4%
Two or More Races 8.6%
American Indian 0.3%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 291
Teachers (FTE) 24.1
Student:Teacher Ratio 12.1:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Hillis Elementary School?
Hillis Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 38 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Hillis Elementary School?
Hillis Elementary School has 291 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.1:1.
What grades does Hillis Elementary School serve?
Hillis Elementary School serves grades K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Hillis Elementary School receive per student?
Hillis Elementary School receives $16,255 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Hillis Elementary School in 50310 ▼
Avg Home Value
$236,782
Avg Monthly Rent
$989
1-Year Change
+2.0%
% Renters
30.4%

Other Schools in 50310

View all schools and real estate data for 50310 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026