Needs Improvement
#1234 of 1,280 schools in IA
Lincoln High School
High School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
2600 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Enrollment
2,441
Student-Teacher
27.4:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,441
Student-Teacher
27.4:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Des Moines
#58 of 64
public schools
Iowa high schools
#323 of 334
In district
#53 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
About Lincoln High School
Lincoln High School serves 2,441 students in grades 9-12 in Des Moines, Iowa, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 89 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 27.4:1, which allows for substantial classroom interaction despite the school's size. Academically, Lincoln High School is focusing on student development, with room for growth in core subjects.
Currently, 50% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 36% achieve proficiency in mathematics. The school ranks among Iowa's high schools with significant opportunities for academic improvement and additional support for student achievement. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $58,441 and median home values average $155,500.
About 18% of residents in the surrounding area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.9%, reflecting the varied socioeconomic backgrounds of families in the district. Lincoln High School sits in Des Moines's southwest area on 9th Street, serving students from ZIP code 50315, which encompasses over 36,000 residents in this mid-size city setting.
What Parents Should Know
Lincoln High School is a large school with 2,441 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Lincoln High School is 27.4:1, 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
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Lincoln High School — Students at Lincoln High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 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: 5.1/10.
How Lincoln High School Compares
See how Lincoln High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 36% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 50% (2022).
Location
2600 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lincoln High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carver Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines | 0.4 mi | 3.8 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| South Union Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Howe Elementary Des Moines | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| McKinley Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Wright Elementary School Des Moines | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Brody Middle School Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 2.8 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Weeks Middle School Des Moines | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Jackson Elementary School Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,036
Median Home Value
$164,000
Median Rent
$977/mo
Population
35,349
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
61.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lincoln High School has a median household income of $62,036. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,000, with a median rent of $977/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.8 |
| Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA | 4.2 |
| East High School Des Moines, IA | 4.3 |
| Hempstead High School Dubuque, IA | 4.8 |
| North High School Sioux City, IA | 4.8 |
| East High School Sioux City, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lincoln High School
What grades does Lincoln High School serve?
Lincoln High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lincoln High School?
Lincoln High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,441 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lincoln High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lincoln High School is 27.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lincoln High School rank in IA?
Lincoln High School is ranked #1234 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Lincoln High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lincoln High School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Lincoln High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lincoln High School has 40.3% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lincoln High School a charter school?
No, Lincoln High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lincoln High School a Title I school?
No, Lincoln High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lincoln High School?
66.3% of students at Lincoln 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,441
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 89
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 242-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #53 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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