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GreatSchools Rating

Walnut Street School

Public | PK-5 | 241 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted February 8, 2013

We love Walnut Street. Great school. Wonderful staff, lots of love and caring for the students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 27, 2012

I am a former employee of the preschool program ( i spent 5.5 years with them) as well as a parent (my daughter attended the program as an infant). I truly loved working there& I feel that they have an exceptional group of staff members, although there were things that I found lacking. The support from management was inconsistent and "problem" employees were allowed to stay for years before being terminated. I felt that overall they thoughtfully hired& maintained a strong place for growth and learning, but when issues would arise, it would take a ridiculous amount of time & effort to get it solved. (even with large volumes of complaints). I found this to be an issue with more that one principal/director (i was present for the last 4, ending with Craig Leager). Looking from the inside out, I would tell parents that this is a great school, but in the end you always need to be vigilant. Visit during lunch hours, look at the food provided for your child& the rules& regulations regarding it. How long can they eat? Can they take uneaten food home?


Posted May 12, 2011

We absolutely love Walnut Street School. The principal, teachers and staff are wonderful, caring individuals who are truly dedicated to your child's education. This really is the place to learn, thrive and love.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 2, 2010

This is the hidden gem in the Des Moines Public Schools! It is an IB school, where students have just begun learning Mandarin! Excellent leadership among teachers and admin. Great diversity! Wonderful community among teachers, students, and families.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 6, 2010

This school is a young school with a great group of students, parents and staff. It serves approximately 300 children in grades preschool through 5th.


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.

28 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
32%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 77% in 2012.

28 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%
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.

22 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2012.

22 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%
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.

18 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2012.

18 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%
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 Students32%
Female38%
Male36%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White38%
Economically disadvantaged27%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students61%
Female69%
Male50%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White57%
Economically disadvantaged50%
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 Students59%
Female56%
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students77%
Female67%
Malen/a
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
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 Students56%
Female50%
Male45%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged40%
Students with disabilitiesn/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students67%
Female70%
Male64%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
Whiten/a
Economically disadvantaged60%
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 64% 85%
Black 22% 6%
Asian/Pacific Islander 8% 2%
Hispanic 6% 7%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 29%N/A34%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

901 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 242-8438

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