| Index | Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 60% | 78% | 49% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 69 | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 13 | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 10 | 96 | 7,963 |
| Index | Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 82.6% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 81.4% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 56.8% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 34.8% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 25.2% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 7.5% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 2.5% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.8% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 69 public schools, 13 private schools and 10 post-secondary schools in Des Moines. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Des Moines, IA schools is 60%. The average student to teacher ratio is 13:1. In Des Moines, IA, an average of 82.6% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 81.4% have completed high school.
| City, State | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Polk City, IA | 4,115 | 94% | 90% |
| Johnston, IA | 19,491 | 90% | 83% |
| Runnells, IA | 514 | 90% | 82% |
| Ankeny, IA | 53,413 | 89% | 82% |
| Norwalk, IA | 9,944 | 88% | 80% |
| Des Moines, IA | 212,859 | 60% | 23% |
| City, State | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Birmingham, AL | 212,424 | 22% | 55% |
| Spokane, WA | 212,078 | 48% | 3% |
| San Bernardino, CA | 214,581 | 20% | 58% |
| Rochester, NY | 210,291 | 29% | 40% |
| Richmond, VA | 216,773 | 64% | 31% |
| Des Moines, IA | 212,859 | 60% | 23% |
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