Average
#1010 of 1,280 schools in IA
Walnut Creek Campus
High School · West Des Moines Comm School District
1020 8th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enrollment
165
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
165
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#10 of 13
public schools
Iowa high schools
#250 of 334
In district
#9 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Walnut Creek Campus
Walnut Creek Campus is an alternative high school located in West Des Moines, Iowa. It serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with a total enrollment of 165 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. The campus has fourteen full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
Walnut Creek Campus is situated in the heart of a small city, offering a supportive environment for students who may benefit from an alternative learning approach. Despite having lower academic scores compared to other schools in Iowa—ranking 4th percentile statewide with an average proficiency rate of just over 20% in math and around 35% in ELA/Reading—the school focuses on student development and holistic growth, providing a nurturing setting for students who might not thrive in traditional educational settings. The school's location within West Des Moines also places it near various community resources that can complement the education and support provided by Walnut Creek Campus.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 165 students, Walnut Creek Campus is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
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Walnut Creek Campus — Students at Walnut Creek Campus score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 3.5/10.
How Walnut Creek Campus Compares
See how Walnut Creek Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
1020 8th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walnut Creek Campus may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Roosevelt High School (rated 6.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valley High School (rated 5.6/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.8 miles away), 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 0.3 mi | — |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Windsor Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Hillis Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
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 Walnut Creek Campus 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Middle School/High School Elkader, IA | 5.3 |
| Easton Valley Junior High / High School Preston, IA | 5.3 |
| North Tama High School Traer, IA | 5.3 |
| Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo, IA | 5.2 |
| Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City, IA | 5.1 |
| Maquoketa Valley Senior High School Delhi, IA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walnut Creek Campus
What grades does Walnut Creek Campus serve?
Walnut Creek Campus serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Walnut Creek Campus?
Walnut Creek Campus has an enrollment of approximately 165 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walnut Creek Campus?
The student-teacher ratio at Walnut Creek Campus is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walnut Creek Campus rank in IA?
Walnut Creek Campus is ranked #1010 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Walnut Creek Campus's MySchoolScout rating?
Walnut Creek Campus has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Walnut Creek Campus?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walnut Creek Campus has 20.1% math proficiency and 34.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walnut Creek Campus a charter school?
No, Walnut Creek Campus is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walnut Creek Campus a Title I school?
No, Walnut Creek Campus is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walnut Creek Campus?
52.1% of students at Walnut Creek Campus 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 – 12th
- Enrollment
- 165
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 633-6480
- 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
- #9 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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