Needs Improvement
#1169 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
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
165
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,169 of 1,280
In West Des Moines
#12 of 13
public schools
In district
#12 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Walnut Creek Campus?
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Walnut Creek Campus
High School in West Des Moines · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Airazi Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hillside Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Walnut Creek Campus
Walnut Creek Campus is a public high school in West Des Moines, IA, part of West Des Moines Comm School District. Walnut Creek Campus serves approximately 165 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Walnut Creek Campus has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,169 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Walnut Creek Campus show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.1
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 165 students, Walnut Creek Campus is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Walnut Creek Campus — Students at Walnut Creek Campus score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
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 35 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 Walnut Creek Campus Compares
See how Walnut Creek Campus 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
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. DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valley High School (rated 4.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Roosevelt High School (rated 4.1/10, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 0.3 mi | — |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Cowles Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Merrill Middle School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 3.0 |
| Roosevelt High School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| ST AUGUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Southwest Valley High school Corning, IA | 4.0 |
| Woodward Academy Woodward, IA | 3.2 |
| CAM Jr./Sr. High School Anita, IA | 4.7 |
| Tri-Center High School Neola, IA | 4.8 |
| Turkey Valley Jr-Sr High School Jackson Junction, IA | 4.8 |
| Central Middle School/High School Elkader, IA | 4.9 |
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 ranks #1,169 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Walnut Creek Campus's MySchoolScout rating?
Walnut Creek Campus has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Walnut Creek Campus?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Walnut Creek Campus has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- 4-Year Graduation
- 54.5%
Resources & Links
District
West Des Moines Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 9,170
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,074
- District Rank
- #12 of 13
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