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Average

#649 of 1,280 schools in IA

Stilwell Junior High School

Middle School · West Des Moines Comm School District

1601 Vine St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Enrollment

644

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#649 of 1,280

In West Des Moines

#5 of 13

public schools

In district

#3 of 13

West Des Moines Comm School District

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Stilwell Junior High School

6.5/10

Middle School in West Des Moines · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sacred Heart School

5.2/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fairmeadows Elementary School

5.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Stilwell Junior High School

Stilwell Junior High School is a public middle school in West Des Moines, IA, part of West Des Moines Comm School District. Stilwell Junior High School serves approximately 644 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Stilwell Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #649 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Stilwell Junior High School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 7.3
  • IA avg 6.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.0Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.3% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.5 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)79% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,074
Chronic Absenteeism8.5%

Stilwell Junior High School — Students at Stilwell Junior High School score 75% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 80.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
78.4% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2015
Math
91%
ELA
89%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
76%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
73.4%
ELA
77.3%

* 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 Stilwell Junior High School Compares

See how Stilwell Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
49th percentile in IA
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1601 Vine St, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stilwell Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Indian Hills Junior High School (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Clive), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Merrill Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines 0.1 mi 5.2
Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines 0.6 mi 5.5
Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines 0.8 mi 3.7
Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines 0.7 mi 4.9
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines 1.3 mi 5.2
AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines 1.1 mi
Clive Learning Academy Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.1
Valley High School West Des Moines 1.7 mi 4.5
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines 1.6 mi 4.6
Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 1.7 mi 3.7
SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm 1.7 mi
Windsor Elementary Des Moines 2.0 mi 6.3
Valley Southwoods West Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.7
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive 2.1 mi 8.0
Learning Resource Center West Des Moines 1.9 mi
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive 2.4 mi 3.8
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.7
Merrill Middle School Des Moines 1.9 mi 6.2
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.3 mi 7.7
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines 2.1 mi

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
Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown, IA 6.5
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City, IA 6.6
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona, IA 6.6
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill, IA 6.4
Vernon Middle School Marion, IA 6.4
Indianola Middle School Indianola, IA 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stilwell Junior High School

What grades does Stilwell Junior High School serve?

Stilwell Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Stilwell Junior High School?

Stilwell Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stilwell Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Stilwell Junior High School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stilwell Junior High School rank in IA?

Stilwell Junior High School ranks #649 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Stilwell Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stilwell Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Stilwell Junior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stilwell Junior High School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 81% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Stilwell Junior High School a charter school?

No, Stilwell Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Stilwell Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Stilwell Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stilwell Junior High School?

29.0% of students at Stilwell Junior High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.5%

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