Below Average
#1016 of 1,280 schools in IA
Hillside Elementary School
Elementary School · West Des Moines Comm School District
713 8th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,016 of 1,280
In West Des Moines
#10 of 13
public schools
In district
#9 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
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Hillside Elementary School
Elementary School in West Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Walnut Creek Campus
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Airazi Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillside Elementary School
Hillside Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Des Moines, IA, part of West Des Moines Comm School District. Hillside Elementary School serves approximately 581 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,016 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Hillside Elementary School show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 5.5
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hillside Elementary School — Students at Hillside Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.
How Hillside Elementary School Compares
See how Hillside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
713 8th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hillside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 3.7 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 0.5 mi | — |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50265 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,588
Median Home Value
$267,600
Median Rent
$1,065/mo
Population
33,061
College Educated
48.5%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
38.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee, IA | 4.9 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk, IA | 4.9 |
| McKinley Elementary School Davenport, IA | 4.9 |
| Rue Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.9 |
| Weber Elementary Iowa City, IA | 4.9 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hillside Elementary School
What grades does Hillside Elementary School serve?
Hillside Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Hillside Elementary School?
Hillside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hillside Elementary School rank in IA?
Hillside Elementary School ranks #1,016 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hillside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hillside Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillside Elementary School has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Hillside Elementary School a charter school?
No, Hillside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hillside Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Hillside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillside Elementary School?
46.1% of students at Hillside Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 581
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.0%
- Phone
- (515) 633-6200
Resources & Links
District
West Des Moines Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 9,170
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,074
- District Rank
- #9 of 13
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