River Woods Elementary School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

496 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

River Woods Elementary School is a public school located in the southeastern area of Des Moines, Iowa, serving students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. As part of the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) district, the school is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that emphasizes academic growth, social-emotional development, and community engagement. The school’s curriculum is designed to align with state standards while providing students with the foundational skills necessary for success in their middle and high school years.

Beyond the classroom, River Woods places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and student well-being, often utilizing various programs to encourage student leadership and collaboration. The school maintains an active connection with the surrounding local community, striving to create a welcoming atmosphere for families and stakeholders alike. By focusing on individualized instruction and a diverse student body, River Woods aims to prepare its students to be thoughtful, responsible citizens within the broader Des Moines community.

496

Total Students

39.2

Full-Time Teachers

12.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

86.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for River Woods Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	51
Hispanic	224
Black	97
Asian	95
Two or More	25
American Indian	4

Hispanic
224 (45.2 %)
Black
97 (19.6 %)
Asian
95 (19.2 %)
White
51 (10.3 %)
Two or More
25 (5.0 %)
American Indian
4 (0.8 %)

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)242-8433
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	496
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	39.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.7
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	365
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	63

* 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 90

Grade 1 90

Grade 2 81

Grade 3 80

Grade 4 75

Grade 5 80