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West Des Moines Comm School District

Item: West Des Moines Comm School District
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (515) 633-5000

www.wdmcs.org

Top Rankings

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

Overview

This School District

This State (IA)

# Schools

14 Schools

1,323 Schools

# Students

9,009 Students

497,928 Students

# Teachers

615 Teachers

35,028 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
Pre-K	280	70
Kind	594	108
1	615	102
2	632	104
3	671	108
4	606	107
5	617	109
6	680	108
7	649	109
8	657	107
9	699	114
10	789	116
11	748	117
12	772	117

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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%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District
2023	#193
2022	#184
2021	#176
2019	#138
2018	#166
2017	#150
2016	#75
2015	#109
2014	#83
2013	#55
2012	#55

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70%

68%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2023	70%	68%
2022	66%	64%
2021	66%	64%
2019	75%	69%
2018	79%	76%
2017	81%	77%
2016	85%	78%
2015	85%	79%
2014	86%	79%
2013	84%	77%
2012	84%	76%

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71%

70%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2022	71%	70%
2021	71%	68%
2019	71%	68%
2018	79%	74%
2017	79%	75%
2016	82%	75%
2015	81%	76%
2014	81%	76%
2013	79%	72%
2012	78%	71%
2011	82%	76%

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61%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2022	61%	63%
2021	64%	60%

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89%

90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2023	89%	90%
2022	93%	90%
2021	94%	87%
2020	94%	89%
2019	93%	88%
2018	93%	89%
2017	94%	89%
2016	93%	88%
2015	94%	88%
2014	93%	89%
2013	91%	87%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.66

0.48

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2024	0.63	0.48
2023	0.62	0.46
2022	0.61	0.45
2021	0.60	0.43
2020	0.56	0.42
2019	0.56	0.42
2018	0.54	0.39
2017	0.54	0.39
2016	0.51	0.38
2015	0.50	0.38
2014	0.49	0.37
2013	0.47	0.35
2012	0.44	0.34
2011	0.42	0.34
2010	0.39	0.32
2009	0.34	0.29
2008	0.32	0.28
2007	0.30	0.26
2006	0.29	0.23
2005	0.27	0.24
2004	0.24	0.22
2003	0.23	0.21
2002	0.22	0.20
2001	0.20	0.20
2000	0.14	0.15
1999	0.17	0.16
1998	0.16	0.15
1997	0.14	0.13
1996	0.13	0.13
1995	0.12	0.13
1994	0.11	0.13
1993	0.11	0.11
1992	0.11	0.10
1991	0.11	0.10
1990	0.12	0.10
1989	0.11	0.10
1988	0.11	0.10

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2024	6%	3%
2023	6%	2%
2022	7%	3%
2021	8%	3%
2020	8%	3%
2019	8%	3%
2018	8%	2%
2017	8%	2%
2016	8%	2%
2015	7%	3%
2014	7%	3%
2013	7%	3%
2012	6%	2%
2011	6%	2%
2010	5%	2%
2009	6%	2%
2008	6%	2%
2007	6%	2%
2006	5%	2%
2005	5%	2%
2004	5%	2%
2003	5%	2%
2002	5%	2%
2001	4%	2%
2000	3%	1%
1999	3%	2%
1998	3%	2%
1997	4%	2%
1996	3%	2%
1995	3%	2%
1994	3%	2%
1993	3%	1%
1992	4%	1%
1991	3%	1%
1990	3%	1%
1989	3%	1%
1988	3%	1%

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% Hispanic

22%

14%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2024	19%	13%
2023	18%	13%
2022	18%	12%
2021	16%	12%
2020	14%	11%
2019	14%	11%
2018	14%	11%
2017	14%	11%
2016	13%	10%
2015	13%	11%
2014	12%	10%
2013	12%	9%
2012	11%	9%
2011	11%	9%
2010	9%	8%
2009	8%	7%
2008	7%	7%
2007	6%	6%
2006	6%	5%
2005	6%	5%
2004	5%	5%
2003	4%	4%
2002	4%	4%
2001	3%	4%
2000	2%	2%
1999	3%	3%
1998	2%	3%
1997	2%	2%
1996	2%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	1%	2%
1993	1%	2%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Black

12%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2024	12%	7%
2023	11%	7%
2022	11%	7%
2021	10%	7%
2020	8%	6%
2019	8%	6%
2018	8%	6%
2017	8%	6%
2016	7%	6%
2015	7%	5%
2014	7%	5%
2013	6%	5%
2012	6%	5%
2011	5%	5%
2010	5%	5%
2009	6%	6%
2008	5%	6%
2007	5%	5%
2006	5%	4%
2005	4%	5%
2004	4%	4%
2003	4%	4%
2002	3%	4%
2001	3%	4%
2000	2%	3%
1999	3%	4%
1998	3%	3%
1997	2%	3%
1996	2%	3%
1995	2%	3%
1994	2%	3%
1993	2%	3%
1992	1%	3%
1991	2%	3%
1990	2%	3%
1989	2%	3%
1988	2%	3%

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% White

53%

70%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2024	56%	71%
2023	58%	72%
2022	59%	73%
2021	60%	74%
2020	64%	75%
2019	64%	75%
2018	66%	77%
2017	66%	77%
2016	68%	78%
2015	69%	78%
2014	70%	79%
2013	72%	80%
2012	74%	81%
2011	75%	81%
2010	78%	82%
2009	80%	84%
2008	82%	84%
2007	83%	86%
2006	84%	88%
2005	85%	87%
2004	86%	88%
2003	87%	89%
2002	88%	89%
2001	90%	89%
2000	93%	94%
1999	91%	91%
1998	92%	92%
1997	92%	93%
1996	93%	93%
1995	94%	93%
1994	94%	93%
1993	94%	94%
1992	94%	95%
1991	94%	95%
1990	94%	95%
1989	94%	95%
1988	94%	95%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2024	7%	5%
2023	7%	5%
2022	5%	5%
2021	6%	4%
2020	6%	4%
2019	6%	4%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	4%	4%
2015	4%	3%
2014	4%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	3%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	3%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,963 is higher than the state median of $16,592. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,020 is less than the state median of $16,163. 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

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$153 MM	$12 MM
2022	$144 MM	$11 MM
2021	$153 MM	$12 MM
2020	$144 MM	$11 MM
2019	$143 MM	$11 MM
2018	$138 MM	$10 MM
2017	$136 MM	$10 MM
2016	$132 MM	$10 MM
2015	$109 MM	$7 MM
2014	$123 MM	$9 MM
2012	$123 MM	$9 MM
2011	$116 MM	$8 MM
2010	$109 MM	$7 MM
2009	$113 MM	$7 MM
2008	$107 MM	$7 MM
2007	$104 MM	$7 MM
2006	$95 MM	$6 MM
2005	$91 MM	$6 MM
2004	$89 MM	$6 MM
2003	$89 MM	$6 MM
2002	$85 MM	$6 MM
2001	$81 MM	$5 MM
2000	$70 MM	$5 MM
1999	$66 MM	$5 MM
1998	$64 MM	$5 MM
1997	$60 MM	$4 MM
1996	$54 MM	$4 MM
1995	$50 MM	$4 MM

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Spending

$144 MM

$8,048 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$144 MM	$11 MM
2022	$140 MM	$11 MM
2021	$144 MM	$11 MM
2020	$140 MM	$11 MM
2019	$132 MM	$10 MM
2018	$138 MM	$10 MM
2017	$121 MM	$10 MM
2016	$118 MM	$10 MM
2015	$111 MM	$7 MM
2014	$134 MM	$8 MM
2012	$132 MM	$8 MM
2011	$115 MM	$8 MM
2010	$111 MM	$7 MM
2009	$106 MM	$7 MM
2008	$95 MM	$7 MM
2007	$90 MM	$6 MM
2006	$103 MM	$6 MM
2005	$91 MM	$6 MM
2004	$87 MM	$6 MM
2003	$84 MM	$6 MM
2002	$78 MM	$6 MM
2001	$67 MM	$6 MM
2000	$63 MM	$5 MM
1999	$60 MM	$5 MM
1998	$61 MM	$5 MM
1997	$65 MM	$4 MM
1996	$52 MM	$4 MM
1995	$49 MM	$4 MM

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Revenue / Student

$16,963

$16,592

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$16,757	$15,936
2022	$15,675	$14,700
2021	$16,805	$16,172
2020	$15,675	$14,700
2019	$15,858	$14,749
2018	$15,323	$14,230
2017	$15,050	$14,844
2016	$14,574	$14,113
2015	$11,867	$11,259
2014	$13,099	$13,301
2012	$13,169	$12,751
2011	$12,553	$12,165
2010	$12,318	$11,259
2009	$12,939	$11,087
2008	$12,297	$10,485
2007	$12,144	$10,103
2006	$11,133	$9,628
2005	$10,673	$9,167
2004	$10,288	$8,727
2003	$10,179	$8,857
2002	$9,599	$8,158
2001	$9,420	$7,654
2000	$8,217	$7,180
1999	$7,630	$6,993
1998	$7,535	$6,548
1997	$7,137	$6,347
1995	$6,130	$5,735
1992	$5,571	$5,300

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Spending / Student

$16,020

$16,163

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	West Des Moines Comm School District	Iowa
2023	$15,825	$15,133
2022	$15,266	$14,340
2021	$15,871	$15,357
2020	$15,266	$14,340
2019	$14,662	$14,216
2018	$15,281	$13,767
2017	$13,381	$14,379
2016	$13,000	$14,161
2015	$12,074	$11,298
2014	$14,264	$12,593
2012	$14,077	$12,000
2011	$12,439	$11,589
2010	$12,532	$11,298
2009	$12,137	$10,614
2008	$10,907	$9,706
2007	$10,495	$9,439
2006	$11,970	$9,204
2005	$10,659	$8,457
2004	$10,047	$8,450
2003	$9,563	$8,908
2002	$8,888	$8,409
2001	$7,746	$7,961
2000	$7,344	$7,433
1999	$6,959	$7,234
1998	$7,215	$6,713
1997	$7,738	$6,475
1995	$6,026	$5,710
1992	$7,366	$5,398

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to West Des Moines Comm School District?

West Des Moines Comm School District manages 14 public schools serving 9,009 students.

What is the rank of West Des Moines Comm School District?

West Des Moines Comm School District is ranked #190 out of 325 school districts in Iowa (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Iowa school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in West Des Moines Comm School District?

53% of West Des Moines Comm School District students are White, 22% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of West Des Moines Comm School District?

West Des Moines Comm School District has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.

What is West Des Moines Comm School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $16,020 is less than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 14 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 9,009 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 47%
: 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

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