The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Math. The lowest is 64% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Western Hills Elementary School
Western Hills Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in West Des Moines, within the West Des Moines Community School District. It is one of eight elementary schools in a district that also operates two junior highs and a high school with a dedicated freshman campus, a structural choice that shapes the entire secondary pathway for students who start here.
The school’s student body is diverse. White students make up roughly half the enrollment, with the remainder divided among Hispanic students (about a quarter of the school), Black students, Asian students, and students of two or more races. About one in four students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that positions the school as serving a mix of income levels rather than being concentrated in either low-income or affluent territory. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), Western Hills’ results sit below the midpoint among the districts in Polk County when averaged across tested subjects and grades. In math, roughly two out of three students scored at or above the proficiency threshold. In English language arts, about the same share of students met that bar. In science, a slightly smaller share of test takers were proficient. These are moderate proficiency rates that suggest many students are meeting grade-level expectations while a meaningful portion are not. For a parent weighing academic performance, these numbers indicate a school that is not among the highest-performing in the county, and it may merit a closer look at how instruction and support are structured for students who are not yet at proficiency.
The school’s enrollment runs from pre-K through sixth grade, with each elementary grade from kindergarten through sixth having roughly the same number of students, suggesting a stable and well-populated attendance zone. Because the school serves only elementary and middle grades, it has no graduation rate to report; that measure applies only to high schools.
West Des Moines itself is the fastest-growing city in Iowa by land area, and its growth directly affects the school environment. The city is a significant employment hub, home to major corporate headquarters in finance, insurance, and technology, including Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Hy-Vee, and Microsoft, which has invested heavily in data center infrastructure. That economic base draws families and fuels residential and commercial development, particularly around the Jordan Creek Town Center area. The housing market reflects that demand: home values in the school’s zip code are above the state median, and while the area is not the most expensive in the region, a family considering a move here should factor in that homes are a meaningful investment. Rents are also above the national typical level, making this a pricier suburban market overall.
The district itself has been investing in facilities. Capital construction expenditures in a recent fiscal year were substantial, reflecting ongoing work to maintain or expand school buildings. That is a detail a parent may want to track, as it can affect everything from classroom conditions to attendance zone boundaries.
The academic picture for Western Hills is one of solid but not standout proficiency. The school serves a diverse, economically mixed population in a growing, economically strong suburban city. A family looking at this school should weigh the moderate test results against the district’s overall resources and the stability of the community. For a parent whose child is already meeting benchmarks, the school likely provides a capable and well-supported elementary experience. For a family with a child who needs extra academic support, it would be worth understanding what interventions are in place, since the school’s overall proficiency rates suggest that a notable number of students are not yet at grade level.
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