Average
#961 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
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#8 of 13
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#511 of 662
In district
#7 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
About Hillside Elementary School
Hillside Elementary School is a regular public school located in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 581 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, Hillside provides a supportive learning environment. The school has 40 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and development.
Hillside Elementary ranks 618th out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 52nd percentile statewide. Academically, students perform well in reading and math, with 66% proficient or above in ELA/reading and 67% proficient or above in math. Science scores are slightly lower at 47%, indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth.
Hillside Elementary is situated in a small city setting, providing students with the advantages of urban amenities while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Hillside Elementary School — Students at Hillside Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
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 15 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: 5.1/10.
How Hillside Elementary School Compares
See how Hillside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 63% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 65% (2022).
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, Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 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 | 5.3 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 0.5 mi | — |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Hubbell Elementary Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hillside Elementary School has a median household income of $84,588. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $267,600, with a median rent of $1,065/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cedar Heights Elementary School Cedar Falls, IA | 5.5 |
| Hoover Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.5 |
| New Hampton Elementary School New Hampton, IA | 5.5 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville, IA | 5.5 |
| Perry Creek Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 5.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny, IA | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #961 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Hillside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillside Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Hillside Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillside Elementary School has 63.3% math proficiency and 60.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,882/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 633-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
West Des Moines Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 9,170
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,074
- District Rank
- #7 of 13
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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