Willard Elementary School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

286 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Willard Elementary School, located at 2941 Dean Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, is a public elementary school serving the East Des Moines community. As part of the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) district, the school focuses on providing a foundational education for students in the surrounding neighborhoods, emphasizing academic growth, social-emotional development, and community engagement.

The school is known for its commitment to inclusive learning, reflecting the diverse demographics of the Des Moines area. Willard Elementary typically offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes core subjects like reading, mathematics, and science, while often integrating programs aimed at supporting student well-being and extracurricular involvement. By fostering a collaborative environment between staff, students, and families, Willard strives to prepare its young learners for success as they transition to middle school and beyond.

286

Total Students

24.1

Full-Time Teachers

11.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

76.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Willard Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	99
Hispanic	107
Black	41
Asian	12
Two or More	24
American Indian	3

Hispanic
107 (37.4 %)
White
99 (34.6 %)
Black
41 (14.3 %)
Two or More
24 (8.4 %)
Asian
12 (4.2 %)
American Indian
3 (1.0 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Phone:	(515)242-8439
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	286
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	24.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	11.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	199
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	20

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 59

Grade 1 45

Grade 2 40

Grade 3 54

Grade 4 45

Grade 5 43