| Index | West Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 84% | 78% | 49% |
| 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 |
| 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 84%. 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, State | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Polk City, IA | 4,115 | 94% | 90% |
| Johnston, IA | 19,491 | 90% | 83% |
| Ankeny, IA | 53,413 | 89% | 82% |
| Van Meter, IA | 1,256 | 89% | 81% |
| Norwalk, IA | 9,944 | 88% | 80% |
| West Des Moines, IA | 61,624 | 84% | 71% |
| City, State | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| La Habra, CA | 61,660 | 38% | 23% |
| Tulare, CA | 61,664 | 28% | 43% |
| Taylor, MI | 61,716 | 32% | 36% |
| Brentwood, NY | 61,438 | 26% | 46% |
| Wellington, FL | 61,371 | 66% | 35% |
| West Des Moines, IA | 61,624 | 84% | 71% |
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