Average
#819 of 1,280 schools in IA
Westwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Ankeny Comm School District
2920 NW 9th St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ankeny
#12 of 17
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#450 of 662
In district
#12 of 17
Ankeny Comm School District
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Westwood Elementary School
Westwood Elementary School serves 615 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Ankeny, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking #167 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, Westwood places in the 87th percentile statewide for academic excellence. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 81% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 80% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to academic achievement. Located at 2920 NW 9th Street in the 50023 ZIP code area, Westwood serves a well-educated community where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood reflects stability and prosperity, with a median household income of $109,044 and median home values around $293,000. The area's low poverty rate of 4.8% among its 45,195 residents contributes to a supportive educational environment. Westwood Elementary operates within Ankeny's large suburban setting in Polk County, benefiting from the resources and opportunities that come with serving an engaged, education-focused community.
Score Breakdown
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Westwood Elementary School — Students at Westwood Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
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: 5.1/10.
How Westwood Elementary School Compares
See how Westwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 80% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 81% (2022).
Location
2920 NW 9th St, Ankeny, IA 50023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Westwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cornell Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie Trail Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ankeny, see our Ankeny schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Northwest Elementary School Ankeny | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Southview Middle School Ankeny | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Terrace Learning Center Ankeny | 1.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Parkview Middle School Ankeny | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Northview Middle School Ankeny | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Ankeny High School Ankeny | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Crocker Elementary School Ankeny | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Heritage Elementary Ankeny | 2.6 mi | 7.7 |
| East Elementary School Ankeny | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| COTTONTAIL CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ankeny | 3.3 mi | — |
| Southeast Elementary School Ankeny | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Cornell Elementary School Des Moines | 5.2 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$113,914
Median Home Value
$327,200
Median Rent
$1,191/mo
Population
45,286
College Educated
55.3%
Homeownership
70.4%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
32.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Westwood Elementary School has a median household income of $113,914. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $327,200, with a median rent of $1,191/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Alan Shepard Elementary School Long Grove, IA | 5.9 |
| Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge, IA | 5.9 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Bettendorf, IA | 5.9 |
| Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston, IA | 5.9 |
| Indian Creek Elementary School Marion, IA | 5.9 |
| McKinley Elementary School Davenport, IA | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Westwood Elementary School
What grades does Westwood Elementary School serve?
Westwood Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Westwood Elementary School?
Westwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 615 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Westwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Westwood Elementary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Westwood Elementary School rank in IA?
Westwood Elementary School is ranked #819 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Westwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Westwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Westwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Westwood Elementary School has 84.5% math proficiency and 84.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Westwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Westwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Westwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Westwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Westwood Elementary School?
13.2% of students at Westwood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,188/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ankeny). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 615
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 965-9690
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ankeny Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 12,669
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,127
- District Rank
- #12 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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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