Top Rankings
West Des Moines Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 3,008 students in West Des Moines Comm School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Iowa.
Public High Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Public High School in West Des Moines Comm School District have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Valley High School, with 95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
14 Schools
365 Schools
# Students
9,009 Students
169,146 Students
# Teachers
615 Teachers
11,046 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
West Des Moines Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has decreased from 93% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#193 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
68%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
70%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
63%
Graduation Rate
89%
87.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)24.3%
24.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.46
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
6%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
22%
13%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
12%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
53%
72%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
7%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $18,803 is higher than the state median of $18,179. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,741 is higher than the state median of $18,122. The school district spending/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$169 MM
$9,049 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$196 MM
$9,021 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$18,803
$18,179
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$21,741
$18,122
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best West Des Moines Comm School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valley High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3650 Woodland Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
Gr: 10-12 | 2,178 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22.
Valley Southwoods
(Math: 55% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
625 S 35th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
Gr: 9 | 678 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
Walnut Creek Campus
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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