Stilwell Junior High School

Summary:

Stilwell Junior High School is a public middle school located in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of 684 students. The school is part of the West Des Moines Community School District, which is ranked 190 out of 309 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Stilwell Junior High School has consistently performed above the state and district averages in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 76.9% of 7th-grade students and 79.3% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 77.3% and 77.5%, respectively. In Mathematics, 82% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 73.2%. The school also has a lower percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients (36.11% in 2022-2023) compared to some of the nearby schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which have higher rates.

While Stilwell Junior High School's academic performance is generally stronger than the nearby Indian Hills Junior High School, it is not as strong as the highly-ranked Summit Middle School in the Johnston Community School District, which is located about 6 miles away. Additionally, Stilwell Junior High School's statewide ranking and SchoolDigger rating have declined in recent years, dropping to 189th out of 337 Iowa middle schools in the 2023-2024 school year, with a 2-star rating. Further investigation is needed to understand the factors contributing to this decline.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 1601 Vine St
       West Des Moines, IA  50265


(515) 633-6000

District: West Des Moines Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
189th of 337 Iowa Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,102 Help


Students who attend Stilwell Junior High School usually attend:

High:    Valley High School

Feeder schools for Stilwell Junior High School:

Elementary:    Fairmeadows Elementary School
    Hillside Elementary School
    Jordan Creek Elementary School
    Western Hills Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  684

Racial breakdown:

White:
65.6%
Hispanic:
13.3%
African American:
10.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Stilwell Junior High School ranks worse than 56.1% of middle schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.07. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (65.6%), Hispanic (13.3%), African American (10.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 36.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Stilwell Junior High School is 14.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Stilwell Junior High School employs 47.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Stilwell Junior High School is $15,102.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Stilwell Junior High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Stilwell Junior High School 189th of 337 Iowa public middle schools. (See Stilwell Junior High School in the ranking list.)

West Des Moines Community School District:

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


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Rank History for Stilwell Junior High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 79.58 25th 349 92.8%
2013 85.51 10th 350 97.1%
2014 76.88 39th 337 88.4%
2015 79.29 38th 349 89.1%
2016 85.38 16th 343 95.3%
2017 75.26 50th 327 84.7%
2018 69.03 84th 318 73.6%
2019 73.03 61st 342 82.2%
2021 62.07 121st 324 62.7%
2022 46.85 201st 337 40.4%
2023 56.78 166th 334 50.3%
2024 52.07 189th 337 43.9%
See the entire list of Iowa Middle School Rankings!

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

Stilwell Junior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    




Data source: Iowa Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Stilwell Junior High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 476 11 10 14 0 n/a n/a 0 511
1989 486 7 15 8 1 n/a n/a 0 517
1990 531 4 9 5 3 n/a n/a 0 552
1991 550 13 14 7 6 n/a n/a 0 590
1992 575 12 18 9 5 n/a n/a 0 619
1993 619 17 11 7 0 n/a n/a 0 654
1994 653 19 12 8 1 n/a n/a 0 693
1995 627 9 10 12 3 n/a n/a 0 661
1996 627 9 10 12 3 n/a n/a 0 661
1997 639 8 19 16 1 n/a n/a 0 683
1998 652 10 20 14 2 n/a n/a 0 698
1999 647 20 21 19 2 n/a n/a 0 709
2000 616 20 18 20 0 n/a n/a 0 674
2001 604 21 18 25 0 n/a n/a 0 668
2002 672 31 22 27 1 n/a n/a 0 753
2003 672 31 22 27 1 n/a n/a 0 753
2004 657 33 30 32 1 n/a n/a 0 753
2005 565 34 25 41 1 n/a n/a 0 666
2006 603 30 30 47 1 n/a n/a 0 711
2007 630 23 39 53 0 n/a n/a 0 745
2008 577 38 34 52 0 n/a n/a 0 701
2009 559 39 28 61 0 n/a n/a 0 687
2010 577 35 24 76 6 1 14 0 733
2011 561 36 33 66 10 1 27 0 734
2012 522 31 30 64 6 2 30 0 685
2013 526 34 29 76 3 1 30 0 699
2014 513 41 32 81 2 0 33 0 702
2015 545 34 32 63 1 0 35 0 710
2016 556 32 40 62 0 0 34 0 724
2017 513 34 44 70 3 0 32 0 696
2018 500 58 33 80 2 0 32 0 705
2019 470 54 28 90 1 1 26 0 670
2020 500 67 34 79 0 1 37 0 718
2021 474 62 37 71 2 0 52 0 698
2022 455 72 36 97 2 0 53 0 715
2023 449 72 30 91 1 1 39 1 684

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 Stilwell Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 511 30.9 16.5 4.1
1989 517 31.8 16.2 2.7
1990 552 32.7 16.8 2.5
1991 590 34.2 17.2 5.1
1992 619 36.0 17.1 3.2
1993 654 38.7 16.9 5.5
1994 693 40.0 17.3 8.8
1995 661 41.8 15.8 5
1996 661 41.8 15.8 5
1997 683 44.4 15.4 6.9
1998 698 43.7 16.0 6.4
1999 709 42.3 16.8 12
2000 674 43.9 15.4 8
2001 668 44.0 15.2 12.7
2002 753 49.1 15.3 12.5
2003 753 49.1 15.3 12.5
2004 753 50.3 15.0 10.6
2005 666 48.0 13.9 14
2006 711 52.4 13.6 15.3
2007 745 50.2 14.8 16.8
2008 701 49.9 14.0 15.7
2009 687 51.0 13.5 18.9
2010 733 48.3 15.1 24.3
2011 734 48.6 15.0 24.5
2012 685 46.5 14.7 23.9
2013 699 49.6 14.0 30.9
2014 702 48.0 14.6 34.2
2015 710 50.0 14.2 31.8
2016 724 50.0 14.4 26.5
2017 696 47.1 14.7 25.6
2018 705 47.8 14.7 32.8
2019 670 43.6 15.3 37.2
2020 718 47.2 15.2 32.5
2021 698 46.8 14.9 34.4
2022 715 47.7 14.9 33.7
2023 684 47.7 14.3 36.1

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 Stilwell Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 511 30.9 16.5 4.1
1989 517 31.8 16.2 2.7
1990 552 32.7 16.8 2.5
1991 590 34.2 17.2 5.1
1992 619 36.0 17.1 3.2
1993 654 38.7 16.9 5.5
1994 693 40.0 17.3 8.8
1995 661 41.8 15.8 5
1996 661 41.8 15.8 5
1997 683 44.4 15.4 6.9
1998 698 43.7 16.0 6.4
1999 709 42.3 16.8 12
2000 674 43.9 15.4 8
2001 668 44.0 15.2 12.7
2002 753 49.1 15.3 12.5
2003 753 49.1 15.3 12.5
2004 753 50.3 15.0 10.6
2005 666 48.0 13.9 14
2006 711 52.4 13.6 15.3
2007 745 50.2 14.8 16.8
2008 701 49.9 14.0 15.7
2009 687 51.0 13.5 18.9
2010 733 48.3 15.1 24.3
2011 734 48.6 15.0 24.5
2012 685 46.5 14.7 23.9
2013 699 49.6 14.0 30.9
2014 702 48.0 14.6 34.2
2015 710 50.0 14.2 31.8
2016 724 50.0 14.4 26.5
2017 696 47.1 14.7 25.6
2018 705 47.8 14.7 32.8
2019 670 43.6 15.3 37.2
2020 718 47.2 15.2 32.5
2021 698 46.8 14.9 34.4
2022 715 47.7 14.9 33.7
2023 684 47.7 14.3 36.1

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 Stilwell Junior High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $192 (1.3%) $14,909 (98.7%) $15,102

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Stilwell Junior High 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 61st of 342 Middle schoolsRanks 166th of 334 Middle schools
 31.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Stilwell Junior High School)78.781.2
 2.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)76.579.6
 3.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.974.2
 4.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Stilwell Junior High School)76.975.4
 1.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)75.375.9
 0.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)70.168.9
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Stilwell Junior High School)77.776.3
 1.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (West Des Moines Community School District)74.978
 3.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)69.576
 6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Stilwell Junior High School)80.774.9
 5.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (West Des Moines Community School District)76.778.1
 1.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)71.872
 0.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students670684
 2.1%
African American5472
 33.3%
American Indian11
Asian2830
 7.1%
Hispanic9091
 1.1%
Pacific Islander11
White470449
 4.5%
Two or More Races2639
 50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.2%36.1%
 1.1%


Schools Near Stilwell Junior High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Stilwell Junior High School

Students who attend Stilwell Junior High School usually go on to attend Valley High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 684 students attended Stilwell Junior High School.

Students at Stilwell Junior High School are 66% White, 13% Hispanic, 11% African American, 6% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Stilwell Junior High School ranks 189th of 337 Iowa middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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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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