Mitchell Early Childhood Center

Set in Des Moines, Iowa, Mitchell Early Childhood Center is an average-sized K-5 school, one of the schools within Des Moines Independent Comm School District. It works with 292 students across grade pre-K.

Des Moines Independent Comm School District runs 59 schools in total, collectively educating 29,676 students. Mitchell Early Childhood Center is one of those campuses.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Mitchell Early Childhood Center lists that 35% of students identify as White, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. Other groups include 29% Hispanic, 15% Black, 11% Asian, 9% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 76% White, putting the school's mix visibly less White than the area baseline.

In terms of school funding signals, The school reports having 16 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 18.3:1. The state averages around 13.7:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. Around 67% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Polk County runs at roughly 49%, so the school's eligibility rate is above the surrounding baseline.

In the area at large, census data for Polk County shows median household income runs about $83,576, roughly 40% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Mitchell Early Childhood Center is one of 137 public schools in Polk County (combined enrollment of about 77,436 students).

The closest other public school is Lovejoy Elementary School, roughly 0.8 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The school occupies a downtown site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count ticked down 26%: 393 students in 2018 compared to 292 in 2025. The White share of enrollment ticked down from 47% to 35% over that span. Class-load math has pulled in: from 24.0:1 in 2018 to 18.3:1 in 2025.

On the community side, the feed for Mitchell Early Childhood Center typically covers classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.