Average
#858 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
5.7
Grades
9th – 9th
Enrollment
744
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 9th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#858 of 1,280
In West Des Moines
#8 of 13
public schools
In district
#7 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Valley Southwoods?
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Valley Southwoods
School in West Des Moines · grades 9th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Learning Resource Center
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Jordan Creek Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Southwoods
Valley Southwoods is a public school in West Des Moines, IA, part of West Des Moines Comm School District. Valley Southwoods serves approximately 744 students, and covers grades 9th-9th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Southwoods has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #858 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Southwoods show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 5.6
- IA avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Valley Southwoods — Students at Valley Southwoods score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
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 10 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: 10.0/10.
How Valley Southwoods Compares
See how Valley Southwoods performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.0/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Clive), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brookview Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.2 |
| Western Hills Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 3.7 |
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 1.5 mi | — |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Westridge Elementary West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.9 mi | 8.0 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 3.8 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
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
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 ranks #858 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Valley Southwoods's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Southwoods has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Valley Southwoods?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Southwoods has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.1%
- Phone
- (515) 633-4500
Resources & Links
District
West Des Moines Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 9,170
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,074
- District Rank
- #7 of 13
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