Needs Improvement
#1266 of 1,280 schools in IA
East High School
High School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
815 E 13th St, Des Moines, IA 50316
Enrollment
2,014
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
2.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,014
Student-Teacher
23.7:1
Score
2.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,266 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#62 of 64
public schools
In district
#57 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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East High School
High School in Des Moines · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hiatt Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Holy Family School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About East High School
East High School is a public high school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. East High School serves approximately 2,014 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.7:1 student-teacher ratio. East High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,266 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for East High School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.2
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
East High School is a large school: 2,014 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.
East High School runs 23.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
64% of students at East High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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East High School — Students at East High School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.9/10.
How East High School Compares
See how East High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
815 E 13th St, Des Moines, IA 50316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering East High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Willard Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 0.3 mi | 3.1 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 0.6 mi | 3.8 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| North High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Phillips Elementary Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Garton Elementary Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Willard Elementary School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,090
Median Home Value
$137,300
Median Rent
$963/mo
Population
16,188
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
66.5%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Median Age
31.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lincoln High School Des Moines, IA | 2.5 |
| North High School Sioux City, IA | 3.0 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.0 |
| West High School Sioux City, IA | 3.2 |
| North High School Davenport, IA | 3.4 |
| West High School Davenport, IA | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about East High School
What grades does East High School serve?
East High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend East High School?
East High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,014 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at East High School?
The student-teacher ratio at East High School is 23.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does East High School rank in IA?
East High School ranks #1,266 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is East High School's MySchoolScout rating?
East High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at East High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, East High School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is East High School a charter school?
No, East High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is East High School a Title I school?
No, East High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East High School?
69.5% of students at East 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,014
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 63.7%
- Phone
- (515) 242-7788
- 4-Year Graduation
- 72.0%
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #57 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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