Valley High School

3650 Woodland Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(School attendance zone shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%
Serving 2,152 students in grades 10-12, Valley High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 66% (which is higher than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75% (which is higher than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 28% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 10-12
  • Enrollment: 2,152 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 39%
  • : 96% (Top 5% in IA)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 66% (Btm 50%)
  • : 75% (Top 50%)
  • : 65% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Valley High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

School Overview

Valley High School's student population of 2,152 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 120 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 10-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
2,152 students
This chart displays total students of Valley High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Valley High School
Total Classroom Teachers
120 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Valley High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Valley High School by grade.

School Rankings

Valley High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Valley High School is 0.58, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#600 out of 1233 schools
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Valley High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
66%
64%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Valley High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
75%
70%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Valley High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
65%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Valley High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Valley High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
5%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Valley High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
18%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Valley High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
11%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Valley High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
61%
72%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Valley High School and the percentage of White public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
5%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Valley High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Valley High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
0.58
This chart displays the diversity score of Valley High School and the public school average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
96%
90%
This chart displays graduation rate of Valley High School and public school graduation rate of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
31%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Valley High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Valley High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Valley High School's ranking?
Valley High School is ranked #600 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are Valley High School often compared to?
Valley High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Urbandale High School, Roosevelt High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
66% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 75% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Valley High School?
The graduation rate of Valley High School is 96%, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 90%.
How many students attend Valley High School?
2,152 students attend Valley High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
61% of Valley High School students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Black, 5% of students are Asian, and 5% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Valley High School?
Valley High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Valley High School offer ?
Valley High School offers enrollment in grades 10-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Valley High School part of?
Valley High School is part of West Des Moines Comm School District.

School Reviews

5   3/3/2023
this is the school I want to go to when I go to high school.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - Kenzie

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 10-12
  • Enrollment: 2,152 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 39%
  • : 96% (Top 5%)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 66% (Btm 50%)
  • : 75% (Top 50%)
  • : 65% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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