- Enrollment
- 2,364
- Students per teacher
- 26.3:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Des Moines, IA
Ruby Van Meter
Federal NCES profile for Ruby Van Meter, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 190897002260
👥 S:T ratio 84
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Ruby Van Meter earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 99% of Iowa schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Iowa schools.
- #8 of 14
- schools in Des Moines · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 3.9:1
- small classes for Iowa
- 59.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Ruby Van Meter has class sizes smaller than 99% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Ruby Van Meter ranks #8 of 14 schools in Des Moines, IA.
School address
District: Des Moines Independent Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 190897002260 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-1 students YoY
Ruby Van Meter held near 112 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 28.0 → 22.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-1 students YoY 190897002260 · Des Moines, IA Other · SMALL · TRAD
109 enr · 3.9:1 · 59.3% lunch · RII 38
Nearest enrollment peer: Lincoln High School (2,364 students)
Ruby Van Meter held near 112 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-1 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 28.0 → 22.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
Ruby Van Meter in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Lincoln High S
Lincoln High School
2,364 students
- Roosevelt High
Roosevelt High School
2,051 students
- East High Scho
East High School
1,952 students
- North High Sch
North High School
1,428 students
- Hoover High Sc 898
Hoover High School
898 students
- This school 109
Ruby Van Meter
109 students
What this shows Ruby Van Meter reports 109 students on the CCD universe file.
How Ruby Van Meter compares
Ruby Van Meter held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 3.9:1 | ▼ 74% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 59.3% | ▲ 63% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 109 | top 91% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
3.9:1
Leaner classes than 99% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
109
Bigger than 11% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
59.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 63% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
3.9:1
students per teacher
- 74% below state mean
Top 1% in Iowa - lower ratio than 100% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
78.9%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,286
per pupil, district-wide
- above Iowa avg of $13,441
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 3 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 45.0%
Hispanic or Latino 29.4%
African American 17.4%
Two or More 5.5%
Asian 0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.9%
Largest group: White at 45.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 67.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 67.8, Ruby Van Meter is more mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
District finance for Des Moines Independent Comm School District reports $15,286 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Ruby Van Meter Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Roosevelt High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| East High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| North High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hoover High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Ruby Van Meter's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,051
- Students per teacher
- 31.1:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,952
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 1,428
- Students per teacher
- 21.6:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 898
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
Similar other schools in Des Moines
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Cornell Elementary School
Standard public school
555 students 14.6:1 students per teacher
Clive Learning Academy
Standard public school
551 students 13.4:1 students per teacher
Capitol View Elementary School
Standard public school
533 students 12.4:1 students per teacher
Moulton Elementary School
Standard public school
465 students 14.1:1 students per teacher
Delaware Elementary
Standard public school
440 students 13.3:1 students per teacher
Cowles Elementary School
Standard public school
392 students 18.7:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~109 students)
Frequently asked questions about Ruby Van Meter
How many students attend Ruby Van Meter?
Ruby Van Meter has 109 students enrolled. It is a special-education school in Des Moines, IA. CCD year-over-year: 113 (2022-23) → 112 (2023-24), nearly flat (-1).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruby Van Meter?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruby Van Meter is 3.9:1, which is 74% lower than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 75% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Ruby Van Meter?
59.3% of students at Ruby Van Meter are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Ruby Van Meter?
The largest demographic group at Ruby Van Meter is White at 45.0% of enrollment, in Des Moines, IA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 67.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Ruby Van Meter?
Ruby Van Meter has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Ruby Van Meter rank among schools in Des Moines?
By Resource Investment Index, Ruby Van Meter ranks #8 of 14 schools in Des Moines, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Des Moines on the city page.
What other schools are in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Besides Ruby Van Meter, Des Moines Independent Comm School District also operates Lincoln High School (2,364 students), Roosevelt High School (2,051 students), and East High School (1,952 students). See the Des Moines Independent Comm School District district page for the complete list.