Average
#697 of 1,280 schools in IA
Valley Southwoods
School · West Des Moines Comm School District
625 S 35th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 9th
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#5 of 13
public schools
In district
#5 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Valley Southwoods
Valley Southwoods is a public high school serving ninth-grade students in West Des Moines, located in Iowa's Polk County. With an enrollment of 744 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school has 48 full-time equivalent teachers supporting its freshman population. Academically, Valley Southwoods is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
In English language arts and reading, 77% of students are performing at proficient levels or above, showing solid foundational literacy skills. Mathematics presents an area for growth, with 63% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks at the 58th percentile among Iowa schools, placing it at #542 out of 1,288 schools statewide.
As a ninth-grade campus, Valley Southwoods focuses specifically on the transition into high school, a critical year for establishing academic habits and engagement. The school's location in West Des Moines, a small city setting in central Iowa, provides students with access to community resources while maintaining the character of a smaller urban environment.
Score Breakdown
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Valley Southwoods — Students at Valley Southwoods score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Valley Southwoods Compares
See how Valley Southwoods performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2021) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 76% (2021) to 75% (2022).
Location
625 S 35th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Southwoods may also want to explore other schools in the area. Indian Hills Junior High School (rated 8.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Clive), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Resource Center West Des Moines | 0.3 mi | — |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 1.5 mi | — |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Westridge Elementary West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines | 2.2 mi | — |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.9 mi | 8.1 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 4.3 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 3.0 mi | — |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
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 Valley Southwoods 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Southwoods
What grades does Valley Southwoods serve?
Valley Southwoods serves students in grades 9th through 9th.
How many students attend Valley Southwoods?
Valley Southwoods has an enrollment of approximately 744 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Southwoods?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Southwoods is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Southwoods rank in IA?
Valley Southwoods is ranked #697 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Valley Southwoods's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Southwoods has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Valley Southwoods?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Southwoods has 63.4% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley Southwoods a charter school?
No, Valley Southwoods is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Southwoods a Title I school?
No, Valley Southwoods is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Southwoods?
31.0% of students at Valley Southwoods 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
- 9th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 744
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 633-4500
- 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
- #5 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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