The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Math. The lowest is 78% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Westridge Elementary
Westridge Elementary serves students from preschool through sixth grade in West Des Moines, a fast-growing suburban city that functions as both a bedroom community for Des Moines and a major employment hub in its own right. The school sits within the West Des Moines Community School District, which has been investing in capital construction projects in recent years, and the city itself is the fastest growing in Iowa by landmass, with active annexation and commercial development around the Jordan Creek Town Center area. The district operates a distinctive secondary model where ninth graders attend a dedicated freshman high school before moving to the main high school for grades ten through twelve, a structural choice that families moving into the area will want to understand as their children approach those grades.
Westridge Elementary is a regular public school serving preschool through sixth grade. It is not a charter or magnet school. The enrollment is large for an elementary school, and the student body is predominantly white, with Hispanic, Black, and Asian students each making up a smaller share, and a modest share of students identifying as two or more races. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is relatively low and points to a generally higher-income attendance zone. Data on students with Individualized Education Programs and English learners was not available in the source data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about special education and language support services.
On the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), Westridge Elementary posted strong results across all three tested subjects. In math, a large majority of students scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, the share was similarly high. In science, the proficiency rate was also strong, though slightly lower than in math and ELA. Participation rates on the assessments were high, which means the results reflect nearly the full student body. When compared to other districts in Polk County, Westridge's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile. This is a school where academic performance is a clear strength.
The school serves a large enrollment for an elementary, with a full grade span from preschool through sixth grade. The student body is majority white, with Hispanic and Black students each making up a meaningful share, and smaller populations of Asian students and students of two or more races. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is modest, indicating a relatively low level of economic disadvantage in the school's attendance area.
Housing in the area reflects the broader West Des Moines market. Home values are above the state average, and rents are similarly elevated. The estimated monthly mortgage payment is higher than the typical rent, which is common in markets where homeownership carries a premium. The area has seen home values rise over the past year, consistent with the city's status as a fast-growing employment hub. The unemployment rate nationally has been stable, and the national median household income has edged up in recent years, providing context for the economic environment families are navigating.
West Des Moines itself is a mix of residential suburban neighborhoods and major commercial corridors. The original business district, Historic Valley Junction, offers locally owned shops and a farmers' market, while the Jordan Creek Town Center area is a hub of retail and office development. Major employers include Wells Fargo, Hy-Vee, and several insurance and financial services firms, making the city a significant employment center in its own right, not just a bedroom community for Des Moines. The city is the fastest growing in Iowa by landmass, with active annexation and ongoing commercial construction. The district has been investing in capital construction projects, which families may see in the form of updated facilities.
For a family considering Westridge Elementary, the picture is one of a large suburban elementary school with strong academic results, a relatively affluent student body, and a location in a fast-growing city with a robust job market. The school's performance on state assessments is a clear strength, and the district's investment in facilities suggests ongoing attention to the physical learning environment. The student body is diverse but not highly economically disadvantaged, and the school's size means it can offer a full range of grade-level programming within one building. A parent should feel confident in the academic foundation the school provides, and the broader community context of growth and employment stability is a positive for families settling in the area.
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