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Western Hills Elementary School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2026) - West Des Moines, IA

Western Hills Elementary School

600 39th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(School attendance zone shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 570 students in grades Prekindergarten-6, Western Hills Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 71% (which is higher than the Iowa state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 61% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 30% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 570 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 51%
  • : Bottom 50% in IA
  • : 71% (Btm 50%)
  • : 61% (Btm 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Western Hills Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Western Hills Elementary School's student population of 570 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 38 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-6
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
570 students
Total Classroom Teachers
38 teachers
Year Founded
2009
Colors
Blue and Gold

School Rankings

Western Hills Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,223 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Western Hills Elementary School is 0.67, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.48. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#881 out of 1223 schools
(Bottom 50%)
71%
68%
61%
70%
55-59%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
Asian
5%
3%
Hispanic
28%
14%
Black
11%
7%
White
49%
70%
Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
0.67
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
36%
35%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
7%
School Statewide Testing
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Western Hills Elementary School's ranking?
Western Hills Elementary School is ranked #881 out of 1,223 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are Western Hills Elementary School often compared to?
Western Hills Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Fairmeadows Elementary School, Jordan Creek Elementary School, Crossroads Park Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
71% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% IA state average), while 61% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
How many students attend Western Hills Elementary School?
570 students attend Western Hills Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
49% of Western Hills Elementary School students are White, 28% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 5% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Western Hills Elementary School?
Western Hills Elementary School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does Western Hills Elementary School offer ?
Western Hills Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-6 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Western Hills Elementary School part of?
Western Hills Elementary School is part of West Des Moines Comm School District.

School Reviews

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  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-6
  • Enrollment: 570 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 51%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 71% (Btm 50%)
  • : 61% (Btm 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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