Best Schools in West Des Moines, Iowa
19 schools · 13 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in West Des Moines?
Use this page to compare every school in West Des Moines by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Maple Grove Elementary School
Elementary · Waukee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Crossroads Park Elementary School
Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Brookview Elementary School
Elementary · Waukee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in West Des Moines for 2026 are Maple Grove Elementary School (7.5/10), Crossroads Park Elementary School (7.5/10), and Brookview Elementary School (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$296,350
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
19
14 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$296,350
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.5/10 despite 37% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among West Des Moines schools.
Top-Rated Schools in West Des Moines
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (16 of 19). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Grove Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Crossroads Park Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Brookview Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Woodland Hills Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Stilwell Junior High School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Jordan Creek Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Westridge Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Valley Southwoods | 5.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Fairmeadows Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Sacred Heart School | 5.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $84,935
- Median home value
- $296,350
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How West Des Moines compares
Iowa rank
#140 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$85k
111% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa is home to 19 schools, including 14 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 13 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in West Des Moines show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in West Des Moines is Maple Grove Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
West Des Moines is served by 2 school districts: Waukee Comm School District, West Des Moines Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 22,770 students.
West Des Moines's community shows 54% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $84,935. The poverty rate in the area is 7.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 439 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 539 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 642 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 4 | 569 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 646 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.2 | ||
| 6 | 775 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.2 | ||
| 7 | 545 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.5 | ||
| 8 | 581 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.9 | ||
| 9 | 560 students · Pre-K–6th | 3.7 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacred Heart School
Private
481 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
Show all 13 elementary schools in West Des Moines
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 644 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,111 students · 10th–12th | 4.5 | ||
| 2 | 165 students · 9th–12th | 3.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Dowling Catholic High School
Private
1,389 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 744 students · 9th–9th | 5.7 |
| 2 | 23 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
Schools in West Des Moines
West Des Moines, Iowa · 19 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$84,935
Median Home Value
$296,350
Median Rent
$1,175/mo
Population
69,831
College Educated
54%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Community Profile
West Des Moines has a median household income of $84,935. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,350, with a median rent of $1,175/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in West Des Moines, Iowa
How many schools are in West Des Moines, Iowa?
West Des Moines has 19 schools, including 14 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in West Des Moines is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in West Des Moines on MySchoolScout is Maple Grove Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in West Des Moines on MySchoolScout is Maple Grove Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in West Des Moines on MySchoolScout is Stilwell Junior High School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in West Des Moines on MySchoolScout is Dowling Catholic High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve West Des Moines, Iowa?
West Des Moines is served by 2 school districts: Waukee Comm School District, West Des Moines Comm School District.
What is the education level in West Des Moines, Iowa?
According to Census data, 54% of adults in West Des Moines have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The median household income in West Des Moines is approximately $84,935 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in West Des Moines, Iowa?
Yes, West Des Moines has 5 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart School with a score of 5.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Des Moines, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in West Des Moines is 14.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in West Des Moines, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.