Serving 109 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Ruby Van Meter ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤10% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student-teacher ratio of 5:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 30% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Special education school
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 109 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
- Minority Enrollment: 55%
- Graduation Rate: <50% (Btm 50% in IA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤20% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Ruby Van Meter ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
Ruby Van Meter's student population of 109 students has declined by 15% over five school years.
The teacher population of 22 teachers has declined by 29% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
109 students
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
School Rankings
Ruby Van Meter ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,223 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ruby Van Meter is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.48. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1223 out of 1223 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤20%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
3%
Hispanic
29%
14%
Black
17%
7%
White
45%
70%
Hawaiian
1%
1%
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
<50%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
63%
35%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ruby Van Meter's ranking?
Ruby Van Meter is ranked #1223 out of 1,223 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% IA state average), while ≤10% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Ruby Van Meter?
The graduation rate of Ruby Van Meter is 50%, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 90%.
How many students attend Ruby Van Meter?
109 students attend Ruby Van Meter.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
45% of Ruby Van Meter students are White, 29% of students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Ruby Van Meter?
Ruby Van Meter has a student ration of 5:1, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ruby Van Meter offer ?
Ruby Van Meter offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ruby Van Meter part of?
Ruby Van Meter is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is Ruby Van Meter located?
Ruby Van Meter is located in the Woodland Heights neighborhood of Des Moines, IA. There are 1 other public schools located in Woodland Heights.
School Reviews
Review Ruby Van Meter. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
