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Below Average

#153 of 157 private schools in IA

St Francis of Assisi School

Elementary School

7075 ASHWORTH RD, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 13 schools in West Des Moines. Learn more

Enrollment

659

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In West Des Moines

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa elementary schools

#101 of 103

About St Francis of Assisi School

ST Francis of Assisi School is a public elementary school located in West Des Moines, Dallas, at 7075 Ashworth Road. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 659 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1, indicating a relatively small class size compared to many other schools. With 41 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each student.

Despite having a lower MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the bottom sixth percentile among Iowa's public schools, ST Francis of Assisi School is committed to fostering an environment that focuses on student development beyond just test scores. The school's setting within a small city offers a tight-knit community feel where families are closely connected. ST Francis of Assisi School stands out as a supportive and nurturing educational environment in its local area.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, St Francis of Assisi School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Francis of Assisi School compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in West Des Moines, IA

Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
This School
vs
15.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
659
This School
vs
542
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.3
This School
vs
5.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 87.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.6% vs 0%
Asian 2.3% vs 0%
Black 0.6% vs 0%
St Francis of Assisi School West Des Moines Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Francis of Assisi School (this school) 4.3
Brookview Elementary School 6.0
Westridge Elementary 5.1
Crossroads Park Elementary School 6.7
Maple Grove Elementary School 6.4
Western Hills Elementary School 5.3
Learning Resource Center
Jordan Creek Elementary School 6.3
Woodland Hills Elementary School 6.6
Fairmeadows Elementary School 4.7
Stilwell Junior High School 5.5
Hillside Elementary School 5.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What 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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C- 2.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 16:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,176
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 23%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 659
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)

Math Proficiency 80.9%
School
State
74.0%
ELA Proficiency 78.2%
School
State
74.6%

Based on 14 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 87.1%
Two or More 5.3%
Hispanic 4.6%
Asian 2.3%
Black 0.6%
Native American 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7075 ASHWORTH RD, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Francis of Assisi School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Webster Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Woodland Hills Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines 1.0 mi 6.0
Westridge Elementary West Des Moines 1.4 mi 5.1
Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines 1.7 mi 6.7
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines 1.9 mi 6.4
Eason Elementary School Waukee 2.1 mi 4.5
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines 2.5 mi
Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 2.5 mi 5.3
SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm 2.4 mi
Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 3.0 mi 6.6
Learning Resource Center West Des Moines 2.7 mi
Valley High School West Des Moines 2.6 mi 5.6
Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines 2.8 mi 6.3
Valley Southwoods West Des Moines 2.9 mi 6.3
Webster Elementary School Urbandale 3.7 mi 6.9
Prairieview School Waukee 3.1 mi 5.5
Shuler Elementary School Clive 3.6 mi 5.9
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive 3.2 mi 8.1
South Middle School Waukee 3.1 mi 4.7
Waukee High School Waukee 3.3 mi 5.5
Walnut Hills Elementary School Urbandale 4.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50266 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,282

Median Home Value

$325,100

Median Rent

$1,285/mo

Population

36,770

College Educated

60%

Homeownership

50.1%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Francis of Assisi School has a median household income of $85,282. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $325,100, with a median rent of $1,285/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% 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
West Willow Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.2
Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines, IA 4.4
Eason Elementary School Waukee, IA 4.5
Garfield Elementary School Davenport, IA 4.1
Harrison Elementary School Davenport, IA 4.5
James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty, IA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Francis of Assisi School

What grades does St Francis of Assisi School serve?

St Francis of Assisi School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend St Francis of Assisi School?

St Francis of Assisi School has an enrollment of approximately 659 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Francis of Assisi School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Francis of Assisi School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Francis of Assisi School rank in IA?

St Francis of Assisi School is ranked #153 out of 157 private schools in IA.

What is St Francis of Assisi School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Francis of Assisi School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 St Francis of Assisi School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St Francis of Assisi School has 80.9% math proficiency and 78.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St Francis of Assisi School a private school?

Yes, St Francis of Assisi 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 St Francis of Assisi School a religious school?

St Francis of Assisi School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,882/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Des Moines). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
659
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
168 days
Setting
Small City
County
DALLAS
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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