Summary:
The West Des Moines, Iowa school district encompasses 12 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. The data reveals a mix of high-performing and lower-performing schools in the area, with some standout institutions like Westridge Elementary and Jordan Creek Elementary School ranking among the top elementary schools in the state. However, the data also highlights significant disparities in academic performance, with Hillside Elementary School struggling to meet state standards.
The top-performing schools in the West Des Moines Community School District have consistently high test scores, with over 90% of 6th graders proficient in English Language Arts and Mathematics. These schools also tend to have lower free/reduced lunch rates, suggesting a potential correlation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement. In contrast, the lower-performing schools, such as Hillside Elementary, have significantly lower proficiency rates, highlighting the need for effective early intervention strategies to support struggling students and close achievement gaps.
The data also reveals variation within the district, with schools performing at vastly different levels despite being part of the same system. This suggests that factors beyond just district-level policies and resources may be influencing school-level outcomes. Additionally, the school with the highest spending per student, Walnut Creek Campus, has the lowest performance among the high schools, indicating that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution to improving academic outcomes.
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