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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Math vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,546

Lincoln High School — Students at Lincoln High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 49.8%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
42%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
36%
ELA
50%
2025
Math
40.2%
ELA
48.6%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.8/10
4th percentile in IA
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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
#53 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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