The top reported proficiency rate is 86% in Math. The lowest is 71% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Westwood Elementary School
Westwood Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Ankeny, a fast-growing suburb of Des Moines. Ankeny is one of Iowa’s fastest-growing cities, with a family-oriented residential character and significant commercial activity along Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 69. The city’s population has increased substantially in recent years, and the Ankeny Community School District has been adding roughly the same number of new students annually for over a decade. The district recently opened a new elementary school in the north feeder system, and capital investment in facilities has been high. Westwood sits within this growth context, and the district’s boundary adjustments and new construction affect which schools children attend.
Westwood is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. Its enrollment is large for an elementary school, and the student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic, two-or-more-races, Black, and Asian students. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school about those supports directly.
On state assessments, Westwood’s students performed at a high level. In both math and English language arts, the large majority of students scored proficient or above. Science proficiency, while still solid, was lower than the results in math and reading. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile among elementary schools in Polk County. Participation rates on the state tests were very high, which means the results reflect nearly the entire student body.
Because Westwood serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not offer high school programs such as Advanced Placement or career and technical education pathways, as those are not part of an elementary curriculum. A parent looking for those offerings would find them at the district’s secondary schools.
The school’s student composition is one of low economic disadvantage relative to many schools, with a small share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the record, so a parent with a child who may need those services should confirm directly with the school what supports are in place.
Westwood sits within a district that has been investing heavily in new construction to keep pace with enrollment growth. The district opened a new elementary school in the north feeder system, and boundary adjustments have followed. For a family moving to Ankeny, the feeder pattern matters: which elementary school a child attends determines the middle and high school pathway, and those pathways shift as the district grows.
Housing in the area is priced above the state average, and rents are moderate relative to incomes. The typical commute is by car, and the city’s suburban layout means most families drive to school and activities. Ankeny’s population is young, with a large share of residents under eighteen, and the city’s growth shows no sign of slowing.
For a family considering Westwood, the picture is of a large, high-performing elementary school in a fast-growing suburban district. Academic results are strong across the board, and the school sits in a community where housing values reflect the area’s desirability. The district’s growth means new schools and boundary changes are part of the landscape. A parent should confirm special education and English learner supports directly, as those data were not available in the record. For a family that values strong elementary academics in a growing suburban setting, Westwood fits that profile clearly.
See more original research from School Decision →