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 14 public schools serving 9,009 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 70% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
14 Schools
1,322 Schools
# Students
9,009 Students
497,791 Students
# Teachers
615 Teachers
35,023 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
0.48
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
6%
3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
22%
14%
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%
70%
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 Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Westridge Elementary School
(Math: 86% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
Jordan Creek Elementary School
(Math: 83% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Crossroads Park Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1050 50th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5600
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5600
Gr: K-6 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #44.
Indian Hills Junior High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9401 Indian Hills Dr
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Gr: 7-8 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
Stilwell Junior High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1601 Vine St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #66.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
807 23rd St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6500
Gr: PK-6 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
Clive Learning Academy
(Math: 69% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1010.
Western Hills Elementary School
(Math: 71% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1111.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
713 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6200
Gr: PK-6 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1212.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Gr: PK-6 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1313.
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%
Rank: n/an/a
3350 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5071
Gr: PK
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 9,009 students.
What is the rank of West Des Moines Comm School District?
West Des Moines Comm School District is ranked #190 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%), 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?
53% of West Des Moines Comm School District students are White, 22% of students are Hispanic, 12% 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 $21,741 is higher than the state median of $18,122. The school district spending/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
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