Photo: Iowahwyman · CC BY-SA 3.0West Des Moines’s public schools outscore 74% of Iowa districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving West Des Moines, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In West Des Moines, 72% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Iowa average (64%). 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 100% 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.
West Des Moines’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 469 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of West Des Moines’s, its schools beat 68%, lower than their 74% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 77% and math 72% 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
West Des Moines spends $14,690 per student and Waukee $12,482, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Dowling Catholic High School (private), St. Francis of Assisi School (private), Sacred Heart School (private), Montessori Children's House (private) and Airazi Academy (private) are 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 West Des Moines’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Iowa school districts, #42 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 West Des Moines, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in West Des Moines
Stilwell Junior High School
Grades 7–8 · 645 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in West Des Moines
Stilwell Junior High School
Grades 7–8 · 645 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in West Des Moines
Valley Southwoods
Grades 9 · 678 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in West Des Moines
Valley High School
Grades 10–12 · 2,178 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in West Des Moines
Valley High School
Grades 10–12 · 2,178 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in West Des Moines
Valley High School
Grades 10–12 · 2,178 students · 18:1 students per teacher
West Des Moines runs its own schools through grade 12 (West Des Moines Community School District). From grade PK, students attend the Waukee Community School District, shared with Clive, Urbandale and Waukee. Parts of West Des Moines (6%, 4% and 3% of its land) are served by Van Meter, Norwalk and Des Moines Independent instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve West Des Moines
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
West Des Moines vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share West Des Moines’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | B+ | West Des Moines PK–12 · Waukee PK–12 |
| Des Moines | D− | Des Moines Independent |
| Cumming | — | Norwalk |
| Waukee | A | Waukee |
| Clive | B+ | West Des Moines PK–12 · Waukee PK–12 |
| Windsor Heights | D− | Des Moines Independent PK–12 · West Des Moines PK–12 |
| Norwalk | A | Norwalk |
2 of the 6 neighbors share Waukee with West Des Moines for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in West Des Moines
18 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Learning Resource Center).
Questions about West Des Moines’s schools
Are West Des Moines’s schools good?
By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools West Des Moines children attend outscore 74% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #42 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 68%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is West Des Moines in?
Two districts: West Des Moines Community School District runs grades PK–12, and Waukee Community School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Clive, Urbandale and Waukee.
Where do West Des Moines kids go to high school?
Valley High School, with 2,178 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is West Des Moines’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 West Des Moines spend per student?
$14,690 in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines?
Yes: Dowling Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,354 students), St. Francis of Assisi School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 720 students), Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 587 students), Montessori Children's House (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 130 students) and Airazi Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 103 students).
Parents talk
What West Des Moines families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Des Moines → 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.