At a glance
Reported students
570
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
38.33
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
92nd percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
570
Western Hills Elementary School: 570 reported students.
State peer staffing position
81st percentile
14.9:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 546
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37.5
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.6:1
What the reported data says about Western Hills Elementary School
Western Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–06 in West Des Moines. It is one of 13 current school records connected to West Des Moines Comm School District. NCES reports 570 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 92nd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.9:1, above the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (48.9%) and Hispanic or Latino (28.1%). English learners represent 15.4% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 12.8%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Western Hills Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 14.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 38.33 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 15.4%
- Students with disabilities
- 12.8%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 45.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White48.9%
- Hispanic28.1%
- Black10.7%
- Asian4.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial7.4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in West Des Moines Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Crestview School of Inquiry
Elementary · Grades PK–06
558 reported students
Clive Learning Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–06
551 reported students
Hillside Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
548 reported students
Fairmeadows Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
542 reported students
Crossroads Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–06
530 reported students
Jordan Creek Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
652 reported students
Public schools near Western Hills Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossroads Park Elementary School Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | KG–06 | 530 | 1 mi |
| Fairmeadows Elementary School Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 542 | 1.2 mi |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 652 | 1.3 mi |
| Westridge Elementary Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 744 | 1.3 mi |
| Hillside Elementary School Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 548 | 2.4 mi |
| Crestview School of Inquiry Elementary · West Des Moines Comm School District | PK–06 | 558 | 2.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Western Hills Elementary School
What grades does Western Hills Elementary School serve?
Western Hills Elementary School reports grades PK–06 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in West Des Moines Comm School District.
How many students attend Western Hills Elementary School?
Western Hills Elementary School reported 570 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 92nd percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 546 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Western Hills Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 14.9:1, based on 570 students and 38.33 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 13.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Western Hills Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Western Hills Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on West Des Moines Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Western Hills Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
45.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Western Hills Elementary School in?
Western Hills Elementary School is part of West Des Moines Comm School District, based in West Des Moines, IA, which operates 13 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Western Hills Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Crossroads Park Elementary School (1 mi), Fairmeadows Elementary School (1.2 mi), Jordan Creek Elementary School (1.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.