Westridge Elementary School

5500 EP True Parkway

School District

West Des Moines Community
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for West Des Moines Community School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on October 04, 2023

AMAZING SCHOOL. Good food, LGBTQ students and supportive teachers, no racism, and NO bullying. Strongly recommend for your little ones.
Submitted by other on February 12, 2021

We moved into the Westridge area from another district in central Iowa and it was a great experience. We've been here 4-5 years. ................ SOCIALLY: My oldest was in 1st grade and was welcomed by teachers and students alike. She made friends quickly and felt included at all times. A year or two after starting at Westridge, she encountered some friendship drama, but a) this is quite common at that age and is not unique to the school, and b) the counselor handled things beautifully. As a new parent at Westridge, I felt welcome and made friends with other parents during pick up and drop off, at class parties and at other school events. My youngest started school the year after our move, so she was able to start PreK at Westridge and continue through the years since with many of the same classmates. She's happy, has lots of friends and is supported at her school. ................ ACADEMICALLY: I have kids on both ends of the spectrum and I feel they're both supported. After just a couple months at Westridge, my oldest daughter's teacher recognized that she was advanced. Although she was not old enough to officially join the gifted program, a few times each week she was able to work with the Gifted & Talented teacher on more challenging work in some subjects. My other daughter struggles with ADD and academics. Even without an IEP/504 requiring it, multiple teachers have gone out of their way to provide whatever she needed to be successful, such as a private quiet space where she could take tests without distractions. ................ STAFF: Of the 10 classroom teacher and many assistants, specials teachers, etc., there is just one I can honestly say we weren't thrilled with. She was just OK. The rest have all been phenomenal. Many are working on grad degrees while teaching. They seem to be motivated and love their jobs, their colleagues and the school. They seem passionate and excited, full of new ideas and willing to adapt. ................ WHY WE CAME: While house hunting, we sought the advice of friends and family members in education and consulted state metrics (Iowa School Performance Profiles) to narrow down our search areas. WDMCS was among our top 3 districts. In West Des Moines, we especially focused on homes within Westridge's boundaries. This is a top notch school with an excellent reputation. Years later as we start to consider another move, we are adamant that staying within the Westridge boundaries is our #1 priority!
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2021

I would have to agree with previous reviewers who stated that if you transfer to this school from a different state this school almost goes out of their way to make you feel unwelcome. My child, a third grader, comes home in tears nearly daily. It is not a very friendly school. I have emailed the principle and never gotten a response. The teacher is a strong 3 out of 10 stars for me. She seems more interested in nit picking my child's flaws than ever pointing out any of her strong points. Sure, she has room to grow. What 9 yr old doesn't? However, she has some pretty awesome points too that have never been recognized. I'm used to being an involved parent, a room Mom, I was on the PTA board at our last school and here I am barely acknowledged and definitely not encouraged to be an involved parent. This school may have good academics but on every other front, it's terrible. School is more than book learning. Someone needs to tell Westridge this.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2017

Like one of the other reviews stated... if you come in from a different school / state me haven't been in that school since day one or early on , you are definitely treated differently!! There were several bad experiences for my older child. But the one thing that always sticks out to me is how the teacher he had just seemed like she never wanted to give a helping hand or good advise to my child! She wanted to see him fail, then go on a rant on how he could have done it better. Inclusion is not a strong suit at Westridge. There was an instance were the students had to bring in items and then make a pull cart and sell things to other students. My child talked about this all week long and was super excited. We asked our child how it all went. Then that's when the tears came and disappointment. My child stated only 3 people came and bought something from there pull cart. My child is not part of the "popular " group nor was any of the kiddos in his group. My child claimed that is why nobody came and bought any thing from them ! What my husband stated was ..... why didn't the teacher have all the students make a trip by all the other pull carts so then everyone is included?? I'm sure it was obvious they were not getting any business . This may seem petty but this is not the only thing that happened with my child this year at this school . It's just sad that it takes a lot to happen for this specific teacher to even "realize " anything bad is happening ! Needless to say my child is going to a different Elementary school next school year Seems like they like there popular cookie cutter students here
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2015

This school has experienced teachers at each grade level who are dedicated to their students' achievement. Some are outstanding. It is a very well organized school with experienced administrative staff. It also has a committed PTA organization with parents who actively support teachers and students and provide opportunities for extra curricular clubs and events as well as fundraising. HIghly recommended.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2014

I'm writing this review as a reaction to the May 2014 review. The reviewer could have been us. We moved to the school system from another state in 2012. We're likely the 'most different' of the parents (same-sex - two dads.) But our experience has been the opposite. We love the school. We love it so much that we permanently bought a house a few blocks from Westridge to remain in the school. Our experiences with teachers, faculty, staff and parents have been phenomenal. All are genuinely concerned about our kids academic development and happiness. They've truly gone far above our greatest expectations. Our kids enjoy school and they're doing great. The homework load can seem extreme, but we feel strongly that they're getting an extraordinary education.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2014

If you fit into the "norm" and are at the school from the time you started school, it may be alright. If, however, you move from somewhere elese/are a little different, the school is not as good. They don't seem to be able (or willing) to help if your child needs a little help. My son hated the school, and dreaded going the whole time he was there. He like his other elementary school (in another state) and now loves his Junior high (Indian Hills).