East High School

East High School serves 2,014 students in grades 9-12 in Des Moines, Iowa, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 85 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.7:1, providing structured classroom environments for its diverse student body. The school is currently focusing on student development, with academic performance showing significant room for growth.

In English Language Arts, 48% of students demonstrate proficiency or above, while 31% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place East High School with considerable opportunities for academic improvement as it works to better serve its students. Located at 815 E 13th St, the school sits within the 50316 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $51,803 and the median home value is $129,300.

The surrounding community has a poverty rate of 22.1%, with 12% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This demographic context reflects the real challenges many students face outside the classroom, making the school's role in the community particularly important. East High School operates in Des Moines' mid-size city environment, serving families in a working-class neighborhood where educational support and community investment remain essential for student success.

East High School is a large school with 2,014 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at East High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at East High School is 23.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.