Photo: Dennis Bratland · CC BY-SA 4.0Urbandale’s public schools outscore 83% of Iowa districts
In Urbandale, 74% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Urbandale, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Urbandale’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 164 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Urbandale’s, its schools beat 71%, lower than their 83% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 79% and math 74% across both districts in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Urbandale spends $13,490 per student and Waukee $12,482, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Gospel Assembly Christian Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Urbandale’s grade
A−: better than 83% of Iowa school districts, #25 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Urbandale, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Urbandale · depends on your address
Olmsted Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 622 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Valerius Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 598 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Webster Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 519 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 892 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 892 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 892 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,301 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,301 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,301 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Urbandale
Urbandale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,301 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Urbandale runs its own schools through grade 12 (Urbandale Community School District). From grade PK, students attend the Waukee Community School District, shared with Clive, Waukee and West Des Moines. Parts of Urbandale (14%, 12% and 10% of its land) are served by Johnston, West Des Moines and Dallas Center-Grimes instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Urbandale
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Urbandale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Urbandale’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Urbandale | A− | Urbandale PK–12 · Waukee PK–12 |
| Grimes | A | Dallas Center-Grimes |
| Johnston | A | Johnston |
| Des Moines | D− | Des Moines Independent |
| Clive | B+ | West Des Moines PK–12 · Waukee PK–12 |
Every school in Urbandale
10 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Urbandale’s schools
Are Urbandale’s schools good?
By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Urbandale children attend outscore 83% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #25 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Urbandale in?
Two districts: Urbandale Community School District runs grades PK–12, and Waukee Community School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Clive, Waukee and West Des Moines.
Where do Urbandale kids go to high school?
Urbandale High School, with 1,301 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Urbandale’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Waukee Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Urbandale spend per student?
$13,490 in Urbandale Community School District and $12,482 in Waukee Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Urbandale?
Yes: Gospel Assembly Christian Academy (religious, grades K–11, 13 students).
Parents talk
What Urbandale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Urbandale → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.