Average
#1011 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
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Des Moines
#11 of 13
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#529 of 662
In district
#10 of 13
West Des Moines Comm School District
About Western Hills Elementary School
Western Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school located in West Des Moines, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 560 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Western Hills shows that 63% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 65% in math, and 64% in science.
While the school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10 and its state ranking places it at #991 out of 1288 schools (23rd percentile), these metrics suggest there is room for academic growth and improvement. Western Hills Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Western Hills Elementary School — Students at Western Hills Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
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 15 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: 5.8/10.
How Western Hills Elementary School Compares
See how Western Hills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 61% (2022).
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. Clive Learning Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crossroads Park Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jordan Creek Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in West Des Moines, see our West Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHEPHERDS FLOCK EARLY LEARNING CENTER Wdm | 0.4 mi | — |
| Valley High School West Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| Crossroads Park Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School West Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Westridge Elementary West Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Indian Hills Junior High School Clive | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL West Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Clive | 2.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Walnut Creek Campus West Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Hillside Elementary School West Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL West Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Clive Learning Academy Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 7.6 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY West Des Moines | 2.6 mi | — |
| Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines | 3.1 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 Western Hills Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Clarke Community Elementary School Osceola, IA | 5.3 |
| Horizon Elementary Johnston, IA | 5.3 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant, IA | 5.3 |
| Wilton Elementary School Wilton, IA | 5.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer, IA | 5.2 |
| North Ridge Elementary Grimes, IA | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #1011 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Western Hills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Hills Elementary School 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 Western Hills Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Hills Elementary School has 65.4% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 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
- Phone
- (515) 633-5900
- 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
- #10 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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