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Average

#741 of 1,280 schools in IA

Hoover High School

High School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District

4800 Aurora Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310

Enrollment

923

Student-Teacher

22.5:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#24 of 64

public schools

Iowa high schools

#156 of 334

In district

#20 of 59

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Hoover High School

Hoover High School serves 923 students in grades 9-12 in Des Moines, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1 and 41 full-time equivalent teachers. Located at 4800 Aurora Ave in the 50310 ZIP code area, this regular public school operates within a community where the median household income is $73,369 and the median home value is $197,000. The school has significant room for academic growth, with 55% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 42% achieve proficiency in mathematics.

These performance levels place Hoover High School in the bottom percentile among Iowa's high schools, ranking #1272 out of 1288 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class to middle-class community, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.9%. The area's ZIP code population of 31,976 creates a substantial residential base around the school.

Hoover High School sits in a mid-size city environment in Polk County, providing students with access to urban amenities while maintaining a community feel within Des Moines' educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Hoover 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 Hoover High School is 22.5:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.4%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Hoover High School — Students at Hoover High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.4%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 50.8%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
42.5%
ELA
50.9%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Hoover High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in IA
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
9.4% participation·31 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4800 Aurora Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hoover High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Olmsted Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Karen Acres Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Meredith Middle School Des Moines 0.1 mi 6.0
Moore Elementary School Des Moines 0.6 mi 5.4
Samuelson Elementary School Des Moines 0.7 mi 5.8
HOLY TRINITY Des Moines 1.0 mi 6.7
Woodlawn Early Childhood Center Des Moines 1.0 mi 5.1
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 5.5
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale 1.3 mi 4.8
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 1.8 mi 8.5
Perkins Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.0
Urbandale High School Urbandale 1.6 mi 7.2
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 1.6 mi 7.7
Monroe Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 7.3
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.2 mi 6.0
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.5 mi 6.7
Lawson Elementary School Johnston 2.6 mi 6.1
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 2.1 mi 7.5
Windsor Elementary Des Moines 2.6 mi 6.2
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale 2.1 mi 4.9
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 2.3 mi 5.6
Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston 2.8 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,473

Median Home Value

$213,800

Median Rent

$1,043/mo

Population

31,283

College Educated

36.4%

Homeownership

68.3%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hoover High School has a median household income of $74,473. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,043/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Decorah High School Decorah, IA 6.1
Prairie High School Cedar Rapids, IA 6.1
Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa, IA 6.0
Perry High School Perry, IA 6.0
North Polk High School Alleman, IA 6.2
Pella High School Pella, IA 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hoover High School

What grades does Hoover High School serve?

Hoover High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hoover High School?

Hoover High School has an enrollment of approximately 923 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Hoover High School is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hoover High School rank in IA?

Hoover High School is ranked #741 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Hoover High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hoover High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Hoover High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hoover High School has 42.4% math proficiency and 50.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hoover High School a charter school?

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

Is Hoover High School a Title I school?

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

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

69.7% of students at Hoover 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

City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
923
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Des Moines Independent Comm School District
District Enrollment
30,277
Schools in District
59
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,518
District Rank
#20 of 59

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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