West Des Moines Comm School District
School District · West Des Moines, Iowa
Avg Rating
5.7
out of 10
Schools
14
8 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
9,170
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Avg Rating
5.7
out of 10
Schools
14
8 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
9,170
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
How this district compares
Iowa rank
#246 of 310
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Iowa avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,074
+$1,052 vs Iowa median
District size
9,170 students
Much larger than Iowa median
The short answer
West Des Moines Comm School District ranks #246 of 310 Iowa districts by overall school rating. West Des Moines Comm School District's schools with real test data average 5.7/10 across 13 schools. Its top-rated schools are Indian Hills Junior High School (8.0/10), Valley Southwoods (7.5/10), and Crossroads Park Elementary School (7.5/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 8.0/10 despite 33% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.3 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 Comm School District schools.
Top-Rated Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (13 of 14). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Hills Junior High School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Valley Southwoods | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Crossroads Park Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Stilwell Junior High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Westridge Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Jordan Creek Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Clive Learning Academy | 6.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Fairmeadows Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Valley High School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Hillside Elementary School | 4.9 / 10 |
See all 14 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About West Des Moines Comm School District
West Des Moines Comm School District is a West Des Moines, Iowa school district serving 14 schools.The district educates 9,170 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. District-level spending was $14,074 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 5.7/10, West Des Moines Comm School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Indian Hills Junior High School, which has a composite score of 8.0/10.
In standardized testing, West Des Moines Comm School District students show an average math proficiency of 73.8% and ELA proficiency of 72.0%.
The district includes 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in West Des Moines Comm School District with test data.
Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District
14 schoolsElementary Schools8
High Schools2
Other Schools2
District Details
- State
- Iowa
- City
- West Des Moines
- Total Enrollment
- 9,170
- Teachers (FTE)
- 629
- District spending per student
- $14,074NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 9.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in West Des Moines Comm School District?
West Des Moines Comm School District has 14 schools in total — 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for West Des Moines Comm School District?
The average composite rating for West Des Moines Comm School District is 5.7/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in West Des Moines Comm School District?
West Des Moines Comm School District's district-level spending was $14,074 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Des Moines Comm School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in West Des Moines Comm School District is 14.6:1.
What is the top-rated school in West Des Moines Comm School District?
Indian Hills Junior High School is the highest-rated school in West Des Moines Comm School District with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What are the test scores in West Des Moines Comm School District?
Across schools in West Des Moines Comm School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 73.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 72.0%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does West Des Moines Comm School District compare to other districts in Iowa?
West Des Moines Comm School District has an average school rating of 5.7/10 across 14 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Iowa by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.7/10
- Math Proficiency
- 73.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 72.0%
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 rateOther School Districts in IA
Compare West Des Moines Comm School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Des Moines Independent Comm School District (59)
- Cedar Rapids Comm School District (34)
- Iowa City Comm School District (29)
- Davenport Comm School District (27)
- Sioux City Comm School District (21)
- Dubuque Comm School District (18)
- Waterloo Comm School District (18)
- Waukee Comm School District (18)
- Ankeny Comm School District (17)
- Council Bluffs Comm School District (15)
- Linn-Mar Comm School District (12)
- Ottumwa Comm School District (11)
- Southeast Polk Comm School District (11)
- Cedar Falls Comm School District (10)
- College Comm School District (10)
- Marshalltown Comm School District (10)
- Mason City Comm School District (9)
- Muscatine Comm School District (9)
- Ames Comm School District (8)
- Burlington Comm School District (8)
- Johnston Comm School District (8)
- Pleasant Valley Comm School District (8)
- Western Dubuque Comm School District (8)
- Bettendorf Comm School District (7)
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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.