- Enrollment
- 2,178
- Students per teacher
- 18.1:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · West Des Moines, IA
Western Hills Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Western Hills Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 43/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 193093001798
👥 S:T ratio 38
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 65
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Western Hills Elementary School earns 43/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 71% of Iowa schools. 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
- 15.4:1
- large classes for Iowa
- 28.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Western Hills Elementary School has class sizes larger than 71% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Western Hills Elementary School ranks #1 of 6 schools in West Des Moines, IA.
School address
District: West Des Moines Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 193093001798 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-19 students YoY
Western Hills Elementary School held near 560 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-19 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 37.5 → 38.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-19 students YoY 193093001798 · West Des Moines, IA Other · MID · TRAD
570 enr · 15.4:1 · 28.3% lunch · RII 43
Nearest enrollment peer: Valley High School (2,178 students)
Western Hills Elementary School held near 560 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-19 headcount). Teacher FTE added 37.5 → 38.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
Western Hills 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 570
Western Hills Elementary School
570 students
What this shows Western Hills Elementary School reports 570 students on the CCD universe file.
How Western Hills Elementary School compares
Western Hills 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 | 15.4:1 | ▲ 4% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 28.3% | ▼ 22% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 570 | top 14% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.4:1
Leaner classes than 43% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
570
Bigger than 70% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
28.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 22% below the Iowa average of 36.4%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
15.4:1
students per teacher
- 4% above state mean
Top 71% in Iowa - lower ratio than 29% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
14.2%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
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
Per 570 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
12
in-school suspensions + 32 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 48.9%
Hispanic or Latino 28.1%
African American 10.7%
Two or More 7.4%
Asian 4.9%
Largest group: White at 48.9% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 66.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 66.3, Western Hills 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 Western Hills Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Westridge Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Valley Southwoods | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Indian Hills Junior High School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Western Hills 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
Hillside Elementary School
Standard public school
548 students 13.7:1 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 (~570 students)
Frequently asked questions about Western Hills Elementary School
How many students attend Western Hills Elementary School?
Western Hills Elementary School has 570 students enrolled. It is a public school in West Des Moines, IA. CCD year-over-year: 579 (2022-23) → 560 (2023-24), nearly flat (-19).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Hills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Western Hills Elementary School is 15.4:1, which is 4% higher than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 2% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Western Hills Elementary School?
28.3% of students at Western Hills Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Western Hills Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Western Hills Elementary School is White at 48.9% 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 66.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Western Hills Elementary School?
Western Hills 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 Western Hills Elementary School rank among schools in West Des Moines?
By Resource Investment Index, Western Hills 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 Western Hills 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.