ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø

West Des Moines Comm School District

3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

West Des Moines Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 3,020 students in West Des Moines Comm School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Iowa.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 71% statewide average).
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High School in West Des Moines Comm School District have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is more than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Valley High School, with 95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
14 Schools
365 Schools
# Students
9,047 Students
171,507 Students
# Teachers
619 Teachers
11,091 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

West Des Moines Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has decreased from 93% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (IA)
#193 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
70%
68%
71%
70%
61%
63%
89%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.64
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
6%
2%
% Hispanic
20%
13%
% Black
12%
6%
% White
55%
73%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
7%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,892 is higher than the state median of $16,468. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,953 is less than the state median of $16,042. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (IA)
Total Revenue
$153 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$144 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,892
$16,468
Spending / Student
$15,953
$16,042

Best West Des Moines Comm School District ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø High Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Valley High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3650 Woodland Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
Gr: 10-12 | 2,111 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
Valley Southwoods
(Math: 55% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
625 S 35th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
Gr: 9 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Walnut Creek Campus
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1020 8th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
Gr: 9-12 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%

Recent Articles

10 Advantages of ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Education in 2025
10 Advantages of ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Education in 2025
Explore 10 key benefits of public education in 2025, with fresh statistics, expert insights, and real-world examples for parents and educators.
COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025)
COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on U.S. ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools (2025)
Explore how COVID-19 continues to affect U.S. public schools in 2025: learning losses, enrollment shifts, mental health, and recovery strategies.

Quick Facts (2025-26)

  • District size: 14 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 9,047 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 45%
  • : 89% (Top 20% in IA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 70% (Btm 50%)
  • : 71% (Btm 50%)
  • : 61% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Quick Links