Average
#130 of 157 private schools in IA
Sacred Heart School
Elementary School
1601 GRAND AVE, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
481
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Iowa private schools
#130 of 157
In West Des Moines
#1 of 3
public schools
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Sacred Heart School
Elementary School in West Des Moines · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Stilwell Junior High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fairmeadows Elementary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School is a private elementary school in West Des Moines, IA. Sacred Heart School serves approximately 481 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Sacred Heart School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #130 of 157 private schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Sacred Heart School show 82% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- IA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Sacred Heart School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Sacred Heart School compares to 10 public schools serving similar grades in West Des Moines, IA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sacred Heart School (this school) | 5.2 |
| Stilwell Junior High School | 6.5 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Hillside Elementary School | 4.9 |
| Western Hills Elementary School | 3.7 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School | 6.2 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Westridge Elementary | 6.2 |
| Brookview Elementary School | 7.4 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Woodland Hills Elementary School | 7.2 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in IA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in IA
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1601 GRAND AVE, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sacred Heart School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cowles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Windsor Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 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 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | — |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 1.6 mi | — |
| Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Learning Resource Center West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | — |
| Valley Southwoods West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | — |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Irving Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 5.2 |
| Marshall Elementary School Dubuque, IA | 5.2 |
| Northwood-Kensett Elementary Northwood, IA | 5.2 |
| West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell, IA | 5.2 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 5.3 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa, IA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sacred Heart School
What grades does Sacred Heart School serve?
Sacred Heart School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Sacred Heart School?
Sacred Heart School has an enrollment of approximately 481 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sacred Heart School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sacred Heart School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Sacred Heart School rank in IA?
Sacred Heart School ranks #130 of 157 private schools in IA.
What is Sacred Heart School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sacred Heart School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Sacred Heart School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sacred Heart School has 82% math proficiency (2025 ISASP) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (2025 ISASP).
Is Sacred Heart School a private school?
Yes, Sacred Heart School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Sacred Heart School a religious school?
Sacred Heart School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 481
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 223-1284
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