VALLEY SOUTHWOODS

Valley Southwoods is a public secondary school that is part of the West Des Moines Comm School District school district, located in West Des Moines, IA with about 725 students. Student demographics can be found below. With about 48 teachers, Valley Southwoods has a student/teacher ratio of about 15:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Valley Southwoods (VSW) is a unique educational facility in West Des Moines, Iowa, serving exclusively as a dedicated building for the district’s ninth-grade students. As part of the West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) district, the school acts as a transitional bridge between middle school and the main Valley High School campus. Its focused environment is designed to provide incoming freshmen with a supportive, specialized setting that helps them adjust to the academic rigors and social expectations of high school before they integrate into the larger student body at Valley High.

The school emphasizes a comprehensive academic curriculum while fostering a strong sense of community tailored specifically to the needs of 14- and 15-year-old learners. By concentrating on a single grade level, Valley Southwoods allows faculty to focus on the developmental milestones of freshmen, offering specialized support systems and collaborative programs. The school is known for its commitment to building student character and academic responsibility, ensuring that every student is well-prepared for the transition to the full high school experience.

For more information, contact Valley Southwoods at (515) 633-4500 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.