| Index | West Des Moines | Iowa | National | 
| Average Test Scores | 74% | 69% | 48% | 
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 | 
| Total public schools | 13 | 1,101 | 79,221 | 
| Total private schools | 7 | 208 | 24,874 | 
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 96 | 7,963 | 

 
				
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				| Index | West Des Moines | Iowa | National | 
| Completed 8th grade | 95.6% | 89.2% | 84.3% | 
| Completed high school | 95.1% | 87.7% | 83.0% | 
| Completed some college | 82.4% | 59.8% | 59.4% | 
| Completed associate degree | 64.1% | 38.4% | 38.5% | 
| Completed bachelors | 54.9% | 27.2% | 30.3% | 
| Completed masters | 18.4% | 8.7% | 11.5% | 
| Completed professional degree | 5.8% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 
| Completed doctorate | 2.0% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 
There are a total of 13 public schools, 7 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in West Des Moines. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for West Des Moines, IA schools is 74%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In West Des Moines, IA, an average of 95.6% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 95.1% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. | 
| Granger, IA | 1,890 | 87% | 81.3% | 
| Van Meter, IA | 1,386 | 86% | 79.9% | 
| Waukee, IA | 22,598 | 85% | 76.3% | 
| Polk City, IA | 4,797 | 85% | 76.0% | 
| Grimes, IA | 13,746 | 84% | 75.8% | 
| West Des Moines, IA | 66,724 | 74% | 53.7% | 
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. | 
| Portland, ME | 66,706 | 47% | 2.2% | 
| Oshkosh, WI | 66,753 | 40% | 15.8% | 
| Kenner, LA | 66,759 | 65% | 34.8% | 
| Conway, AR | 66,776 | 58% | 20.7% | 
| Redondo Beach, CA | 66,663 | 74% | 54.7% | 
| West Des Moines, IA | 66,724 | 74% | 53.7% |