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Best Public Preschools in Polk County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Polk County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 43 public preschools serving 17,287 students in Polk County, IA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA are Mitchellville Elementary School, Henry A Wallace Elementary School and Webster Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 73%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 69% statewide average). Pre schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 28% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Polk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Henry A Wallace Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6207 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Gr: PK-5 | 840 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Gr: PK-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
North Polk West Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1400 W Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Gr: PK-2 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
North Polk Central Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
311 Ne 141st Ave
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
910 7th Ave Se
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
500 Ne Beaverbrooke Blvd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Gr: PK-4 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Westridge Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5500 E P True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
Gr: PK-6 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1212.
Clay Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3200 First Avenue S.
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Gr: PK-5 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1313.
Jordan Creek Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4105 Fuller Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
Gr: PK-6 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1414.
Cowles Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Gr: PK-8 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1515.
Four Mile Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
670 Se 68th St
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 265-1972
Gr: PK-5 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1616.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
807 23rd St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
Gr: PK-6 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1717.
Willowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
300 17th Ave Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-7512
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Cornell Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5817 Ne 3rd St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 244-8173
Gr: PK-4 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2425 Watrous Ave
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 242-8416
Gr: PK-5 | 312 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2020.
Olmsted Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7110 Prairie Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Gr: PK-5 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2121.
Clive Learning Academy
(Math: 69% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 73rd Street
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Gr: PK-6 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2222.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
316 37th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8410
Gr: PK-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2323.
Western Hills Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
600 39th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
Gr: PK-6 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2424.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
713 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
Gr: PK-6 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2525.
Walnut Street School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
901 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8438
Gr: PK-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2626.
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4801 E Oakwood Dr
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 242-8432
Gr: PK-5 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2727.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Gr: PK-6 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2828.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Gr: PK-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2929.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3030.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1541 8th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3131.
Garton Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2820 E 24th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Gr: PK-5 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #3232.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
806 E Hoffman St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8420
Gr: PK-5 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #3333.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #3434.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
705 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Charter School
4801 Franklin Ave 2nd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Gr: PK-4 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Polk County, IA include Mitchellville Elementary School, Henry A Wallace Elementary School and Webster Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Polk County?
38 public preschools are located in Polk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public preschools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public preschools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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