C
Below Average
55/100

Jefferson Elementary School

📚 K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 2425 Watrous Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321
Overall
C
55/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C+
0.4 grade levels below the U.S. average · 43rd percentile in Iowa
Growth
C
Students gain 0.80 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 37th percentile
Resources
A
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

55
Repit Score
out of 100
306
Students
enrolled
14.0:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$16K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%43/1000.4 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%37/100Students gain 0.80 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 1.11 in 2009–19; 22nd percentile in Iowa (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%87/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 41% 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 −10 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 proficiency62% (−7 pts vs. state avg 69%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency77% (+8 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
White67%82%reading -6 pts, math +6 pts52nd percentile (list)
Low-income52%57%reading -1 pts, math +0 pts37th 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 2425 Watrous Ave
City Des Moines
ZIP Code 50321
District 1908970
NCES School ID 190897000548
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 50321

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

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $69,458
Per Capita Income $40,951
Poverty Rate 11.9%
Households Earning $100K+ 36.9%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 39.9%
High School or Higher 94.3%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $258,000
Median Rent $1,073
Owner-Occupied 59.8%
Renter-Occupied 40.2%
View full data for ZIP 50321 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 50321 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 50321 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Jefferson Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 47.4%
Female 52.6%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 66.3%
Hispanic/Latino 12.1%
Black 10.5%
Two or More Races 7.5%
Asian 3.3%
Pacific Islander 0.3%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 306
Teachers (FTE) 21.9
Student:Teacher Ratio 14.0:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Jefferson Elementary School?
Jefferson Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 55 out of 100, earning a grade of C. 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 Jefferson Elementary School?
Jefferson Elementary School has 306 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1.
What grades does Jefferson Elementary School serve?
Jefferson Elementary School serves grades K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Jefferson Elementary School receive per student?
Jefferson Elementary School receives $16,255 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Jefferson Elementary School in 50321 ▼
Avg Home Value
$361,191
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,029
1-Year Change
+3.8%
% Renters
40.2%

Other Schools in 50321

View all schools and real estate data for 50321 →

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