Average
#931 of 1,280 schools in IA
Valley High School
High School · West Des Moines Comm School District
3650 Woodland Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Enrollment
2,111
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
2,111
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
10th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#7 of 13
public schools
Iowa high schools
#224 of 334
In district
#6 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
About Valley High School
Valley High School serves 2,111 students in grades 10-12 in West Des Moines, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 and 123 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school ranks #760 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 41st percentile statewide with room for academic growth. Academically, Valley High School shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 75% of students score proficient or above, compared to 66% in mathematics.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 reflects its current focus on student development and improvement opportunities. The school is located on Woodland Avenue in an affluent West Des Moines neighborhood where families demonstrate strong educational values. The surrounding ZIP code 50266 has a median household income of $83,166 and a median home value of $310,000, with 60% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 6.9% among its 35,508 residents. Valley High School operates in a small city setting that combines suburban amenities with community accessibility, serving students from educationally-minded families in one of Iowa's more prosperous communities.
What Parents Should Know
Valley High School is a large school with 2,111 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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Valley High School — Students at Valley High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.8/10.
How Valley High School Compares
See how Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 66% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
3650 Woodland Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Walnut Creek Campus (rated 5.3/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 0.3 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines | 0.5 mi | — |
| Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Learning Resource Center West Des Moines | 1.5 mi | — |
| Valley Southwoods West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Westridge Elementary West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 2.4 mi | — |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
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 Valley High 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 |
|---|---|
| Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA | 5.6 |
| West High School Davenport, IA | 5.6 |
| Central High School Davenport, IA | 5.5 |
| North High School Davenport, IA | 5.5 |
| Waukee High School Waukee, IA | 5.5 |
| John F Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley High School
What grades does Valley High School serve?
Valley High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.
How many students attend Valley High School?
Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,111 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley High School rank in IA?
Valley High School is ranked #931 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Valley High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley High School has 68.9% math proficiency and 74.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley High School a charter school?
No, Valley High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley High School a Title I school?
No, Valley High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley High School?
26.7% of students at Valley 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Des Moines). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 10th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,111
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 123
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 633-4000
- 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
- #6 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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