Valley Southwoods

625 S 35th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(School attendance zone shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 744 students in grades 9, Valley Southwoods ranks in the bottom 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 57% (which is lower 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 15:1 is higher than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 29% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 9
  • Enrollment: 744 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 45%
  • : Bottom 50% in IA
  • : 57% (Btm 50%)
  • : 75% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Valley Southwoods's student population of 744 students has grown by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
744 students
This chart displays total students of Valley Southwoods by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Valley Southwoods
Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Valley Southwoods by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

School Rankings

Valley Southwoods ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Valley Southwoods is 0.65, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.47. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#708 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Valley Southwoods, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
57%
64%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Valley Southwoods 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 Southwoods 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.
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Valley Southwoods 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
6%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Valley Southwoods 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 Southwoods and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
12%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Valley Southwoods and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
55%
71%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Valley Southwoods 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
9%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Valley Southwoods 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 Southwoods.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
0.65
This chart displays the diversity score of Valley Southwoods and the public school average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
30%
37%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Valley Southwoods 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
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Valley Southwoods 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
Profile last updated:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Valley Southwoods's ranking?
Valley Southwoods is ranked #708 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are Valley Southwoods often compared to?
Valley Southwoodsis often viewed alongside schools like Roosevelt High School, Urbandale High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
57% 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).
How many students attend Valley Southwoods?
744 students attend Valley Southwoods.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
55% of Valley Southwoods students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Black, 9% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Valley Southwoods?
Valley Southwoods has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Valley Southwoods offer ?
Valley Southwoods offers enrollment in grades 9 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Valley Southwoods part of?
Valley Southwoods is part of West Des Moines Comm School District.

School Reviews

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 9
  • Enrollment: 744 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 45%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 57% (Btm 50%)
  • : 75% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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