Downtown School

1800 Grand Avenue

School District

Des Moines Independent Community
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Des Moines Independent Community School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 18, 2021

My son has a wonderful teacher that notice even during the pandemic and through a computer that my son was having difficulties paying attention and learning. My son was diagnosed with adhd she is working with him on ways he can learn and is now thriving even more. We loves this school he is now doing better and they are working with me to find the best way my son learns instead of just leaving him behind.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2019

Our 5th grade student cannot do basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, or fractions. It is impossible to understand how a 5th grader, with report cards that reflect good academic standing, is unable to give the answers to 9x3, or 56-48, or what is 1/12 of 60? In four months, our student will be graduating into middle school. Our student also cannot pick a noun or a verb from a sentence, however, this week there are two field trips. The school has sent multiple emails in the past month about a Meals From The Heartland fundraiser. Our student can talk on and on about Meals From The Heartland, but can't tell us that "meal" is a noun. The school is not academically focused. We should have made a switch sooner.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2016

On January 7 I feel and broke my leg very badly. I live across the street from the Downtown School. I was bed ridden for 6 weeks and I would have to go up and down four flights of stairs to take my son to school. I had no one to take him to school. I called his teacher, Mr. Kerns, and I thought I was going to have to take Asher out of school because I had no way to take him to school. Mr. Kerns offered to walk over and get Asher in the morning and after school! It makes me tear up as I write this. It was so overwhelming that he cared about my son so much. The other 5/6 teachers helped, as well as Mrs. Flickenger!I know that no other elementary school would have done this for us. I am truly grateful for Asher to go to such a wonderful school. I can't say thank you enough to everyone who helped us.I couldn't have picked a better teacher for Asher than Mr. Kerns! He is such an kind teacher who obviously cares so much about his students.Sheryl Hutto
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2015

Both my kids went to the DTS, they have some very good teachers there, and yes class sizes are smaller, however, I learned at my youngest first conference in middle school this year that she did not know basic math. How did that happen? Both of my kids struggle with math, and it doesn't help when each school seems to have there own "inovative" way of teaching it. Apparently the DTS didn't teach my daughter the basics and went right into algebra. Her middle school teacher had a plan at least to help her, so she basically has had to relearn math from the beginning so she could understand the basic's they are teaching in her school right now. I was actually shocked and rather disappointed to hear this at her first conferences, especially when her DTS teachers said she was ready for middle school and she'll do fine. Not sure how this school manages to maintain one of the best ratings for a school in DMPS, (most DMPS schools rate VERY poorly), when my daughter didn't know basic math skills going into middle school. I will say they have excellent teachers there (most), however, I have no idea what it is they're teaching. Very concerned about all DMPS school curriculums at this point.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2013

I've been happy with the school so far. My son is a kindergartener. I'm continually impressed by how much the families who have been there love it. We haven't totally "bought in" yet, but I can see the potential.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2011

My daughter was in this school for 6 years, kindergarten through fifth grade. As she grew older, I was increasingly uncomfortable with the fact that I did not know how she was doing considering they do not give grades and do not assign any homework. Only now do I realize the unique means of learning (no textbooks, project based learning) did not work for my child. She is far behind other kids in her middle school, especially in math and science. What a mistake. Now, she has homework and I can interact with her, see if she understands. There was no way to do that before. I know I'm in the minotiry in my opinion, which is why I did not trust my instinct and left my daughter in the school too long.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2010

Wonderful teacher/parent relationship at this school. The teachers are awesome and so dedicated to creating an inspiring, enriching educational atmosphere for the students. The classrooms and structure are very interesting -- classrooms are mixed, with younger and older students learning together. There are no rows of desks. Students sit together in pairs or threesomes at learning tables where they can work independently or collaboratively. Every six to eight weeks, the classes have "culminating events" where parents, grandparents and other family are invited to attend a classroom presentation. Each child gives a short presentation to the group and presents their corresponding artwork. It's a wonderful way for families to participate and see first-hand what their children have learned and created. It's just a wonderful learning environment! We love this school!
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2008

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Submitted by parent on May 30, 2007

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