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Average

#620 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 48% in state

Ankeny High School

High School · Ankeny Comm School District

1155 SW Cherry St, Ankeny, IA 50023

Enrollment

1,346

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

6.4

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ankeny

#7 of 17

public schools

Iowa high schools

#121 of 334

In district

#7 of 17

Ankeny Comm School District

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Ankeny High School

Ankeny High School serves 1,346 students in grades 10 through 12, making it a substantial educational institution in this prosperous Des Moines suburb. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interactions. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, ranking #273 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools and placing in the 79th percentile statewide.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts, with 86% achieving proficient or above levels, while 77% reach proficiency in mathematics. These solid achievement levels reflect both quality instruction and the supportive educational environment fostered by the surrounding community. Ankeny High School draws from an affluent neighborhood where families show a strong commitment to education.

The local ZIP code boasts a median household income of $109,044 and a remarkably low poverty rate of just 4.8%. With 56% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school benefits from an educated parent base that values academic achievement. Located at 1155 SW Cherry Street, Ankeny High School sits in the heart of a thriving large suburban community in Polk County, where median home values of $293,000 reflect the area's desirability and stable family environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Math vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)82%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation42.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,716

Ankeny High School — Students at Ankeny High School score 82% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.4%
School
State
67.8%
ELA Proficiency 83.5%
School
State
72.8%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
84%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
84%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
86%
2025
Math
77.1%
ELA
81.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Ankeny High School Compares

See how Ankeny High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in IA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

Location

1155 SW Cherry St, Ankeny, IA 50023

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ankeny High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cornell Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northview Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ankeny, see our Ankeny schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Southview Middle School Ankeny 0.3 mi 7.0
Heritage Elementary Ankeny 0.5 mi 7.7
Parkview Middle School Ankeny 1.0 mi 6.9
Southeast Elementary School Ankeny 0.8 mi 5.9
Terrace Learning Center Ankeny 1.1 mi 6.1
Northwest Elementary School Ankeny 1.1 mi 4.5
East Elementary School Ankeny 1.1 mi 6.0
Prairie Ridge Middle School Ankeny 1.4 mi 5.5
Northview Middle School Ankeny 1.6 mi 7.2
ANKENY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ankeny 1.3 mi 6.6
Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny 1.4 mi 6.7
Northeast Elementary Ankeny 2.0 mi 4.9
Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny 2.4 mi 5.1
Crocker Elementary School Ankeny 2.0 mi 6.2
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny 2.4 mi 6.7
Westwood Elementary School Ankeny 2.2 mi 5.9
Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny 3.3 mi 5.5
Woodside Middle School Des Moines 3.7 mi 6.6
Cornell Elementary School Des Moines 3.7 mi 7.9
ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny 3.0 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$113,914

Median Home Value

$327,200

Median Rent

$1,191/mo

Population

45,286

College Educated

55.3%

Homeownership

70.4%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

32.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ankeny High School has a median household income of $113,914. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $327,200, with a median rent of $1,191/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Johnston Senior High School Johnston, IA 6.4
Bettendorf High School Bettendorf, IA 6.5
Pleasant Valley High School Bettendorf, IA 6.2
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA 6.7
Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA 6.7
Hoover High School Des Moines, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ankeny High School

What grades does Ankeny High School serve?

Ankeny High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Ankeny High School?

Ankeny High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,346 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ankeny High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ankeny High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ankeny High School rank in IA?

Ankeny High School is ranked #620 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Ankeny High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ankeny High School has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ankeny High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ankeny High School has 78.4% math proficiency and 83.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ankeny High School a charter school?

No, Ankeny High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ankeny High School a Title I school?

No, Ankeny High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ankeny High School?

15.0% of students at Ankeny High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,188/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ankeny). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,346
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
80
Free/Reduced Lunch
15.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ankeny Comm School District
District Enrollment
12,669
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,127
District Rank
#7 of 17

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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