Needs Improvement
#1170 of 1,280 schools in IA
Western Hills Elementary School
Elementary School · West Des Moines Comm School District
600 39th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,170 of 1,280
In West Des Moines
#13 of 13
public schools
In district
#13 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
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Western Hills Elementary School
Elementary School in West Des Moines · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Shepherds Flock Early Learning Center
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Valley High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Western Hills Elementary School
Western Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Des Moines, IA, part of West Des Moines Comm School District. Western Hills Elementary School serves approximately 560 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Western Hills Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,170 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Western Hills Elementary School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.5
- IA avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Western Hills Elementary School — Students at Western Hills Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 2.6/10.
How Western Hills Elementary School Compares
See how Western Hills Elementary School 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
600 39th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Western Hills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookview Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jordan Creek Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 0.4 mi | — |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Learning Resource Center West Des Moines | 0.8 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | — |
| Valley Southwoods West Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Westridge Elementary West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 2.6 mi | — |
| Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines | 3.1 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cedar River Academy at Taylor Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.7 |
| Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee, IA | 3.7 |
| West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty, IA | 3.7 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines, IA | 3.8 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive, IA | 3.8 |
| Greene County Elementary Jefferson, IA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Western Hills Elementary School
What grades does Western Hills Elementary School serve?
Western Hills Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Western Hills Elementary School?
Western Hills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Hills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Western Hills Elementary School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Western Hills Elementary School rank in IA?
Western Hills Elementary School ranks #1,170 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Western Hills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Hills Elementary School 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 Western Hills Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Western Hills Elementary School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Western Hills Elementary School a charter school?
No, Western Hills Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Western Hills Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Western Hills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Hills Elementary School?
26.4% of students at Western Hills Elementary 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 560
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.3%
- Phone
- (515) 633-5900
Resources & Links
District
West Des Moines Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 9,170
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,074
- District Rank
- #13 of 13
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