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GreatSchools Rating

Delaware Elementary School

Public | PK-5 | 557 students

We are best known for focus on teaching and learning.
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 4 ratings
2010:
Based on 1 rating

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted May 3, 2012

As a parent I enjoyed watching the kids grow & learn until 5th grade. Each year the teachers challenged the students to do more & held them accountable for better work results. At least 1 of the 4th grade teachers visits the child's home prior to school starting in the fall. Homework - even if it was 15 minutes - was assigned probably 4 days a week. They were required to study for tests and to do their best on projects. The 5th grade teachers are quite likeable, but do not hold the kids as responsible. If a project is turned in haphazard or looks sloppy, an A or A+ is still easily obtained. If an assignment is not completed, they are sometimes still given up to a week (or more) to do it and still get an A or A+. Then comes the C or D on the test. Responsibility is shot. Students who naturally excel, still excel. The kids who need to be held to expectations. just slide by and it shows in their grades & state/national tests scores. Quite sad. I emailed & visited 5th grade teachers many times only to be told, they are doing well, not to worry. I believe the drop in test scores from 4th to 5th grade make sense. It's sad, but makes sense.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 29, 2011

As a teacher at Delaware, I have seen it become better and better each year. Parent involvement is at an all time high, and there is more and more of a "team effort" between teacher/parent in their child's education, which is the way it NEEDS to be! I am so thankful to work with wonderful teachers and people. Teacher's have never felt more supported by our PTO, and we are so grateful.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted October 16, 2011

I am a parent of two children who attend Delaware Elementary. We have been completely satisfied with the teachers, the leadership of the administration, and the strong PTO board and volunteers. My children have had a wonderful experience both academically and socially.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 9, 2011

Delaware is one of the largest Elementary schools in this large district, but it continues to impress me with it's small school feel. They do a good job communicating to parents and keeping them involved. Our family appreciates all the PTO sponsored activities and have had all good experiences with this school and faculty. Budget cuts have been hard for this school, but we are looking forward to the continued growth and prosper we have seen over the last 6 years.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 8, 2011

As the mom of a kindergartener, I couldn't be more pleased with Delaware. Communication from the school and district is consistent and so helpful. The teachers and PTO go out of their way to help students (and parents) feel informed and welcome. My sons loves his teacher, and I'm finding the Delaware community to be a wonderful start to my son's education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 27, 2010

Great, involved teachers, lots of parent opportunities to be involved with their kids at school (especially kindergarten) and a WONDERFUL principal.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 7, 2008

I feel Delaware Elementary continues to improve every year. Out of the 6 years we have been involved with this school we have enjoyed all but one teacher. They have many new teachers here and I feel they bring new ideas to my childs education. My kids feel safe and secure here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 6, 2008

i have 4 children ages 2 through 18. 3 of them have attended delaware and the youngest will in 3 years. i also attended delaware 30 years ago. while i have seen many changes at this school it has remained wonderful and my children enjoy going to this school. i do agree though that as far as handicapped children go you definately have to be a parent advocate for your child at this school but they are getting better and adding more for the handicapped all the time.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 8, 2008

Our children attended Delaware Elementary for 7 years. We were pleased with a few of the teachers. Communication and cooperation with parents are less than desirable. If you have a child of special needs, we highly discourage placement at this school. You will be very dissatisfied!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 24, 2005

We have been less than pleased with the level of parent involvement of this school. I view this as a problem equally distributed between the school and the parents. The school doesn't encourage parental involvement very much, and the parents don't really volunteer much.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 1, 2004

Delware Elementary is an excellent school. You just couldn't ask for a better school for your children to attend!
—Submitted by Renay, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 77% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


Beginning in 2011-2012 Iowa used the Iowa Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in reading and math. The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year. The Iowa Assessments are standards-based tests, which measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Iowa. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See Iowa's state standards

Source: Iowa Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
82%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2012.

73 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


Beginning in 2011-2012 Iowa used the Iowa Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in reading and math. The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year. The Iowa Assessments are standards-based tests, which measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Iowa. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See Iowa's state standards

Source: Iowa Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2012.

71 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


Beginning in 2011-2012 Iowa used the Iowa Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in reading and math. The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year. The Iowa Assessments are standards-based tests, which measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Iowa. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

See Iowa's state standards

Source: Iowa Department of Education

Math

All Students87%
Female87%
Male85%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White84%
Economically disadvantaged76%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students75%
Female79%
Male67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White74%
Economically disadvantaged53%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


Beginning in 2011-2012 Iowa used the Iowa Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in reading and math. The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year. The Iowa Assessments are standards-based tests, which measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Iowa. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Iowa Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Iowa's state standards

Source: Iowa Department of Education

Math

All Students82%
Female80%
Male82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White83%
Economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students79%
Female78%
Male82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White83%
Economically disadvantaged77%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


Beginning in 2011-2012 Iowa used the Iowa Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in reading and math. The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year. The Iowa Assessments are standards-based tests, which measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Iowa. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Iowa Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Iowa's state standards

Source: Iowa Department of Education

Math

All Students90%
Female87%
Male93%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students69%
Female61%
Male73%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White71%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


Beginning in 2011-2012 Iowa used the Iowa Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in reading and math. The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year. The Iowa Assessments are standards-based tests, which measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Iowa. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Iowa Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Iowa's state standards

Source: Iowa Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 86% 85%
Asian/Pacific Islander 5% 2%
Black 4% 6%
Hispanic 4% 7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 31%N/A34%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Special education / special needs

Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments

Arts & music

Music
  • Band

Health & athletics

School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Gym

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Gifted / high performing
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
  • Before school
School Leader's name
  • Kevin Walker
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Email
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Fax number
  • (515) 264-8239

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Core knowledge
  • Gifted / high performing
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Remediation
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Auditorium
  • Cafeteria
  • Computer
  • Gym
  • Library
  • Playground
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • The Altoona Campus offers many different sports activities for students in the Southeast Polk Schools.
Girls sports
  • The Altoona Campus offers many different sports activities for students in the Southeast Polk Schools.

Arts & music

Music
  • Band
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

More from this school
  • Delaware Elementary is a school that is committed to providing students a quality education. The staff is very caring, and work to make a safe environment for students to excel in their learning. We are a PBIS school and students know our RAMS Way (Respect, Always Responsible, Manners, and Self Control/Safety) expectations and work to meet those expectations. We also have a very committed PTO that provides many family and student centered activities with the highlight of the year being our PTO Carnival in the spring of the year.
School leaders can update this information here.

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TIP: Don't forget to ask about documents required for enrollment, such as your child's birth certificate, proof of address, or a record of immunizations.

 
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Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4401 East 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
Website: Click here
Phone: (515) 262-3197

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