Average
#962 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
5.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#9 of 13
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#200 of 248
In district
#8 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Stilwell Junior High School
Stilwell Junior High School is a regular public middle school located in West Des Moines, Iowa. The school serves students in grades seven and eight with an enrollment of 644 students. Stilwell Junior High has a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, which allows for more personalized attention to each student's needs.
With 47 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide quality education in a supportive environment. Academically, Stilwell Junior High School ranks at number 687 out of 1288 schools across Iowa, placing it around the 47th percentile statewide. Students perform well in English Language Arts and Reading, with 77% achieving proficiency or above on state assessments.
Math scores are also strong, with 71% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Science performance is slightly lower at 64%, but there is room for improvement. Stilwell Junior High School is situated in a small city setting within West Des Moines, offering students the benefits of both urban and suburban environments.
Despite its modest academic ranking, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Stilwell Junior High School — Students at Stilwell Junior High School score 69% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 11 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: 4.2/10.
How Stilwell Junior High School Compares
See how Stilwell Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 64% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 74% (2022).
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 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Clive), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Merrill Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 4.7 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| 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 | 7.6 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 1.7 mi | — |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Valley Southwoods West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Learning Resource Center West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | — |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Stilwell Junior High 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 |
|---|---|
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines, IA | 5.5 |
| Southeast Junior High School Iowa City, IA | 5.5 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant, IA | 5.4 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge, IA | 5.6 |
| Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown, IA | 5.4 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville, IA | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #962 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Stilwell Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Stilwell Junior High 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 Stilwell Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stilwell Junior High School has 71.1% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (515) 633-6000
- 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
- #8 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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