Western Hills Elementary School

Summary:

Western Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving 579 students in grades PK-6 and part of the West Des Moines Community School District.

Western Hills has a more diverse student population compared to some nearby schools, with 55.44% White, 11.4% African American, 20.9% Hispanic, 4.32% Asian, and 7.6% two or more races. The school generally performs on par or slightly better than the district average on standardized tests, but its performance is often below the state average, particularly in 6th grade. Western Hills also has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 32.47% to 36.21% over the past three years, which is higher than some nearby schools like Crossroads Park Elementary and Jordan Creek Elementary.

When comparing Western Hills to other nearby schools in the West Des Moines Community School District, schools like Westridge Elementary and Crossroads Park Elementary consistently outperform Western Hills on standardized tests and have higher rankings on SchoolDigger. While Western Hills' diversity could be seen as a strength, the school may need to focus on strengthening its curriculum and instructional practices, particularly in certain grade levels and subject areas, to better support student learning and achievement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 600 39th St
       West Des Moines, IA  50265


(515) 633-5900

District: West Des Moines Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
328th of 557 Iowa Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,254 Help


Students who attend Western Hills Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Stilwell Junior High School
High:    Valley High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.4 Help
Number of students:  579

Racial breakdown:

White:
55.4%
Hispanic:
20.9%
African American:
11.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  32.5% Help


 See top rated Iowa elementary schools

 Compare Western Hills Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Western Hills Elementary School ranks worse than 58.9% of elementary schools in Iowa. It also ranks 6th among 8 ranked elementary schools in the West Des Moines Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.01. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Western Hills Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the West Des Moines Community School District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Western Hills Elementary School is $14,254, which is the 2nd highest among 8 elementary schools in the West Des Moines Community School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Western Hills Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

West Des Moines Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks West Des Moines Community School District 190th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Western Hills Elementary School?

Rank History for Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 63.01 240th 626 61.7%
2013 71.56 136th 624 78.2%
2014 62.92 252nd 603 58.2%
2015 65.95 231st 616 62.5%
2016 63.56 248th 599 58.6%
2017 53.25 331st 574 42.3%
2018 60.77 255th 567 55.0%
2019 38.41 413th 603 31.5%
2021 34.43 417th 567 26.5%
2022 39.39 399th 574 30.5%
2023 47.22 351st 565 37.9%
2024 50.01 328th 557 41.1%
See the entire list of Iowa Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Western Hills Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
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100%

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by a citizen
Sunday, November 23, 2014

Open Quote We have felt Western Hills has been especially good for dealing w/ the issues our grandson brings with him. He is comfortable w/ his peers, has progressed very well in dealing w/ many of his issues, and is at a good place for him.
We have sat in on classes - in both expected and unexpected situations and have witnessed learning first hand.
We also have a granddaughter in the school and feel she excels without a lot of help. She almost needs more challenge.
The socialization provided by Kids West has been very helpful for both children. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 584 6 18 4 0 n/a n/a 0 612
1989 693 2 21 6 0 n/a n/a 0 722
1990 745 3 25 4 0 n/a n/a 0 777
1991 624 3 20 2 0 n/a n/a 0 649
1992 668 1 19 0 0 n/a n/a 0 688
1993 608 3 15 1 2 n/a n/a 0 629
1994 573 1 13 3 0 n/a n/a 0 590
1995 540 6 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 562
1996 540 6 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 562
1997 511 11 14 4 1 n/a n/a 0 541
1998 488 13 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 510
1999 472 16 9 4 0 n/a n/a 0 501
2000 507 17 8 3 0 n/a n/a -33 502
2001 435 11 10 2 0 n/a n/a 0 458
2002 403 15 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 428
2003 403 15 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 428
2004 380 12 7 5 0 n/a n/a 0 404
2005 398 6 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 414
2006 371 10 7 4 0 n/a n/a 0 392
2007 381 11 7 7 0 n/a n/a 0 406
2008 431 16 15 14 0 n/a n/a 0 476
2009 457 13 20 16 0 n/a n/a 0 506
2010 450 7 16 22 2 1 28 0 526
2011 465 26 23 28 1 1 23 0 567
2012 456 38 28 37 0 1 21 0 581
2013 463 43 30 38 1 1 18 0 594
2014 462 50 30 32 1 1 20 0 596
2015 460 56 34 48 1 1 21 0 621
2016 415 64 33 45 1 1 18 0 577
2017 407 61 29 56 3 1 21 0 578
2018 388 62 30 60 3 1 26 0 570
2019 380 76 25 68 2 1 41 0 593
2020 348 70 23 87 1 1 46 0 576
2021 344 64 23 104 1 1 43 0 580
2022 324 63 23 116 2 1 47 0 576
2023 321 66 25 121 1 1 44 0 579

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 612 28.5 21.4 0.7
1989 722 25.5 28.3 0.3
1990 777 28.5 27.2 0.6
1991 649 28.0 23.1 0.6
1992 688 30.0 22.9 0.6
1993 629 28.5 22.1 0.3
1994 590 36.8 16.0 0.2
1995 562 26.4 21.3 2.3
1996 562 26.4 21.3 2.3
1997 541 26.4 20.5 1.5
1998 510 25.0 20.4 2
1999 501 22.0 22.8 2.4
2000 502 23.0 21.8 1.3
2001 458 22.0 20.8 2
2002 428 26.0 16.5 5.6
2003 428 26.0 16.5 5.6
2004 404 19.0 21.3 5.9
2005 414 19.0 21.8 5.3
2006 392 16.0 24.5 3.6
2007 406 15.5 26.2 8.6
2008 476 24.8 19.2 10.3
2009 506 28.9 17.5 10.7
2010 526 32.7 16.0 12.7
2011 567 34.7 16.3 19
2012 581 35.4 16.3 23.6
2013 594 37.8 15.6 27.8
2014 596 36.6 16.2 27.3
2015 621 42.0 14.7 26.6
2016 577 42.0 13.7 28.2
2017 578 37.4 15.4 29.2
2018 570 38.3 14.8 26.8
2019 593 36.8 16.1 30.4
2020 576 36.7 15.6 33
2021 580 37.3 15.5 36.2
2022 576 37.5 15.3 32.6
2023 579 37.5 15.4 32.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Western Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 612 28.5 21.4 0.7
1989 722 25.5 28.3 0.3
1990 777 28.5 27.2 0.6
1991 649 28.0 23.1 0.6
1992 688 30.0 22.9 0.6
1993 629 28.5 22.1 0.3
1994 590 36.8 16.0 0.2
1995 562 26.4 21.3 2.3
1996 562 26.4 21.3 2.3
1997 541 26.4 20.5 1.5
1998 510 25.0 20.4 2
1999 501 22.0 22.8 2.4
2000 502 23.0 21.8 1.3
2001 458 22.0 20.8 2
2002 428 26.0 16.5 5.6
2003 428 26.0 16.5 5.6
2004 404 19.0 21.3 5.9
2005 414 19.0 21.8 5.3
2006 392 16.0 24.5 3.6
2007 406 15.5 26.2 8.6
2008 476 24.8 19.2 10.3
2009 506 28.9 17.5 10.7
2010 526 32.7 16.0 12.7
2011 567 34.7 16.3 19
2012 581 35.4 16.3 23.6
2013 594 37.8 15.6 27.8
2014 596 36.6 16.2 27.3
2015 621 42.0 14.7 26.6
2016 577 42.0 13.7 28.2
2017 578 37.4 15.4 29.2
2018 570 38.3 14.8 26.8
2019 593 36.8 16.1 30.4
2020 576 36.7 15.6 33
2021 580 37.3 15.5 36.2
2022 576 37.5 15.3 32.6
2023 579 37.5 15.4 32.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Western Hills Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $192 (1.3%) $14,062 (98.7%) $14,254

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Western Hills Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 413th of 603 Elementary schoolsRanks 351st of 565 Elementary schools
 6.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Western Hills Elementary School)5675
 19%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)6371
 8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)65.366.3
 1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Western Hills Elementary School)65.382.9
 17.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)72.676.8
 4.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.775.3
 3.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Western Hills Elementary School)61.767.1
 5.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)70.173.8
 3.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)70.573.1
 2.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Western Hills Elementary School)6369.7
 6.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)75.279.6
 4.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)72.572.9
 0.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Western Hills Elementary School)64.256.5
 7.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)67.871.4
 3.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.368.3
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Western Hills Elementary School)72.862.3
 10.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)77.977.9
   5th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.471.3
 1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Western Hills Elementary School)65.466.7
 1.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)72.670.7
 1.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)67.572.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Western Hills Elementary School)70.475.6
 5.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)76.572.3
 4.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)69.469.9
 0.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students593579
 2.4%
African American7666
 13.2%
American Indian21
 50%
Asian2525
Hispanic68121
 77.9%
Pacific Islander11
White380321
 15.5%
Two or More Races4144
 7.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients30.4%32.5%
 2.1%


Schools Near Western Hills Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Western Hills Elementary School

Students at Western Hills Elementary School are 55% White, 21% Hispanic, 11% African American, 8% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Western Hills Elementary School ranks 328th of 557 Iowa elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 579 students attended Western Hills Elementary School.

Students who attend Western Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Stilwell Junior High School
High : Valley High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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