For the 2025-26 school year, there is 1 public charter school serving 79 students in Polk County, IA.
Polk County, IA public charter schools have a diversity score of 0.72, which is more than the Iowa public charter school average of 0.46.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public charter school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Polk County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: n/an/a
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Charter School
4801 Franklin Ave 2nd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Gr: K-3 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Polk County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Gr: 6-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 32%
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Gr: PK | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Gr: K-6 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Gr: 9-12 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 7-12 | 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 6-8
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Gr: 7-9 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Gr: PK-K | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Gr: K-5 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 70%
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Gr: 6-8 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 53%
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 6-12 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Gr: PK-5 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Gr: 9-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Gr: K-5 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
3500 74th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Gr: PK-5 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Gr: PK-5 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Gr: 9-12 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 6%
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Gr: 4-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Gr: K-5 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Orchard Place School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Gr: K-12 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Gr: PK-3 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Gr: 6-12 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Gr: 9-12
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Gr: PK-8 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Gr: K-5 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Gr: PK-5 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Gr: 6-12 | 30 students Minority enrollment: 10%
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Gr: PK-K | 18 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public charter schools are located in Polk County, IA?
1 public charter schools are located in Polk County, IA.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public charter schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public charter schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
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