- Enrollment
- 2,178
- Students per teacher
- 18.1:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · West Des Moines, IA
Hillside Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Hillside Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 43/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 193093001188
👥 S:T ratio 45
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 56
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Hillside Elementary School earns 43/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Iowa median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Iowa schools.
- #1 of 6
- schools in West Des Moines · Resource Index
- 43
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.7:1
- students per teacher
- 50.8%
- free-lunch eligible
Hillside Elementary School has class sizes near the Iowa median. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Hillside Elementary School ranks #1 of 6 schools in West Des Moines, IA.
School address
District: West Des Moines Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 193093001188 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+22 students YoY
Hillside Elementary School held near 581 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+22 headcount).
Teacher FTE held 40.3 → 40.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+22 students YoY 193093001188 · West Des Moines, IA Other · MID · TRAD
548 enr · 13.7:1 · 50.8% lunch · RII 43
Nearest enrollment peer: Valley High School (2,178 students)
Hillside Elementary School held near 581 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+22 headcount). Teacher FTE held 40.3 → 40.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
Hillside Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Valley High Sc
Valley High School
2,178 students
- Westridge Elem 744
Westridge Elementary
744 students
- Valley Southwo 678
Valley Southwoods
678 students
- Indian Hills J 661
Indian Hills Junior High School
661 students
- Jordan Creek E 652
Jordan Creek Elementary School
652 students
- This school 548
Hillside Elementary School
548 students
What this shows Hillside Elementary School reports 548 students on the CCD universe file.
How Hillside Elementary School compares
Hillside Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.7:1 | ▼ 7% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 50.8% | ▲ 40% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 548 | top 16% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.7:1
Leaner classes than 60% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
548
Bigger than 67% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
50.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 40% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.7:1
students per teacher
- 7% below state mean
Top 45% in Iowa - lower ratio than 55% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
17.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$13,914
per pupil, district-wide
- above Iowa avg of $13,441
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 12 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 45.1%
Hispanic or Latino 25.7%
African American 17.9%
Two or More 8.4%
Asian 2.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%
Largest group: White at 45.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 69.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 69.1, Hillside Elementary School is more mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for West Des Moines Comm School District reports $13,914 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Hillside Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Westridge Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Valley Southwoods | Similar size | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Indian Hills Junior High School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Hillside Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 744
- Students per teacher
- 16.9:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 678
- Students per teacher
- 15.4:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
- Enrollment
- 661
- Students per teacher
- 12.5:1
- Resource Index
- 58/100
- Enrollment
- 652
- Students per teacher
- 16.7:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
Similar other schools in West Des Moines
5 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Westridge Elementary
Standard public school
744 students 16.9:1 students per teacher
Jordan Creek Elementary School
Standard public school
652 students 16.7:1 students per teacher
Western Hills Elementary School
Standard public school
570 students 15.4:1 students per teacher
Fairmeadows Elementary School
Standard public school
542 students 16.9:1 students per teacher
Learning Resource Center
Standard public school
29 students 14.5:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~548 students)
Frequently asked questions about Hillside Elementary School
How many students attend Hillside Elementary School?
Hillside Elementary School has 548 students enrolled. It is a public school in West Des Moines, IA. CCD year-over-year: 559 (2022-23) → 581 (2023-24), nearly flat (+22).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Elementary School is 13.7:1, which is 7% lower than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 13% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Hillside Elementary School?
50.8% of students at Hillside Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Hillside Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Hillside Elementary School is White at 45.1% of enrollment, in West Des Moines, IA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 69.1/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Hillside Elementary School?
Hillside Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 43/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Hillside Elementary School rank among schools in West Des Moines?
By Resource Investment Index, Hillside Elementary School ranks #1 of 6 schools in West Des Moines, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in West Des Moines on the city page.
What other schools are in West Des Moines Comm School District?
Besides Hillside Elementary School, West Des Moines Comm School District also operates Valley High School (2,178 students), Westridge Elementary (744 students), and Valley Southwoods (678 students). See the West Des Moines Comm School District district page for the complete list.