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 2026 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 1,306 students in West Des Moines Comm School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in Iowa.
Public Middle Schools in West Des Moines Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 74% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public middle school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
14 Schools
372 Schools
# Students
9,009 Students
129,526 Students
# Teachers
615 Teachers
9,068 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.
Overall District Rank
#193 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
71%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
63%
Graduation Rate
89%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
6%
2%
% Hispanic
22%
12%
% Black
12%
6%
% White
53%
73%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
7%
5%
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.
Total Revenue
$153 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$144 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,963
$16,592
Spending / Student
$16,020
$16,163
Best West Des Moines Comm School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Indian Hills Junior High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9401 Indian Hills Dr
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-4700
Gr: 7-8 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
Stilwell Junior High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1601 Vine St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
