Top Rankings
West Des Moines Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024-25 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 9,120 students in West Des Moines Comm School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
Public Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
14 Schools
1,329 Schools
# Students
9,120 Students
504,940 Students
# Teachers
599 Teachers
35,005 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
West Des Moines Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 327 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 93% has decreased from 94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#184 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
64%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
63%
Graduation Rate
93%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.63
0.46
# American Indian Students
20 Students
1,899 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
576 Students
12,614 Students
% Asian Students
6%
2%
# Hispanic Students
1,718 Students
63,207 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
13%
# Black Students
1,009 Students
34,156 Students
% Black Students
11%
7%
# White Students
5,185 Students
365,324 Students
% White Students
57%
72%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
2,883 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
605 Students
24,598 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
313
23,085
# Students in K Grade:
627
37,733
# Students in 1st Grade:
661
35,654
# Students in 2nd Grade:
599
35,488
# Students in 3rd Grade:
621
35,962
# Students in 4th Grade:
668
35,603
# Students in 5th Grade:
637
35,274
# Students in 6th Grade:
628
35,449
# Students in 7th Grade:
666
36,781
# Students in 8th Grade:
714
37,606
# Students in 9th Grade:
702
40,254
# Students in 10th Grade:
819
39,868
# Students in 11th Grade:
751
38,263
# Students in 12th Grade:
714
37,920
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,757 is higher than the state median of $16,361. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,825 is less than the state median of $15,938. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$153 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$144 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,757
$16,361
Spending / Student
$15,825
$15,938
Best West Des Moines Comm School District Public Schools (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Westridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5500 E P True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
Grades: PK-6
| 748 students
Rank: #22.
Jordan Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4105 Fuller Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5200
Grades: PK-6
| 647 students
Rank: #33.
Crossroads Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1050 50th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5600
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5600
Grades: K-6
| 521 students
Rank: #44.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
807 23rd St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
Grades: PK-6
| 569 students
Rank: #55.
Indian Hills Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9401 Indian Hills Dr
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Grades: 7-8
| 696 students
Rank: #66.
Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3650 Woodland Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
Grades: 10-12
| 2,152 students
Rank: #77.
Stilwell Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1601 Vine St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
Grades: 7-8
| 684 students
Rank: #88.
Valley Southwoods
Magnet School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
625 S 35th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
Grades: 9
| 687 students
Rank: #99.
Hillside Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
713 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
Grades: PK-6
| 559 students
Rank: #1010.
Western Hills Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
600 39th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5900
Grades: PK-6
| 579 students
Rank: #1111.
Clive Learning Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1600 73rd Street
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 633-5800
Grades: PK-6
| 528 students
Rank: #1212.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Grades: PK-6
| 574 students
Rank: #1313.
Walnut Creek Campus
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1020 8th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
Grades: 9-12
| 147 students
Rank: n/an/a
Learning Resource Center
Magnet School
3350 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
Grades: PK
| 29 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to West Des Moines Comm School District?
West Des Moines Comm School District manages 14 public schools serving 9,120 students.
What is the rank of West Des Moines Comm School District?
West Des Moines Comm School District is ranked #189 out of 327 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in West Des Moines Comm School District?
57% of West Des Moines Comm School District students are White, 19% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of West Des Moines Comm School District?
West Des Moines Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What is West Des Moines Comm School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,825 is less than the state median of $15,938. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
