Needs Improvement
#1151 of 1,280 schools in IA
North High School
High School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District · Des Moines, IA
A Des Moines Independent Comm School District high school where students score 17 points below what's typical for similar communities.
501 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
- Math 29% proficient (2022)
- Reading 46% proficient (2022)
- 73.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at North High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 8 points across the 14-year record (2009–2022) and has held near 38% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 44% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 49% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from IA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
75%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where North High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 47Car-Dependent
- Transit 31Some Transit
- Bike 52Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,846/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Des Moines), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$64,077
Median home value
$161,800
Median rent
$1,077/mo
College educated
16.2%
Homeownership
74%
Poverty rate
13.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 50313; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 2.4 | 9–12 | 1.8 mi | 2,014 | Compare → |
| Joshua Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 8.2private | K–12 | 2.0 mi | 175 | Compare → |
| Ruby Van MeterEnrollment path unverified | 2.5 | K–12 | 2.5 mi | 112 | Compare → |
| Virtual CampusEnrollment path unverified | 2.1 | 9–12 | 2.5 mi | 387 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
- Schools in district
- 59
- Rank in district
- #33 of 59
- District spending per student
- $15,518NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 21.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
North High School is listed in Des Moines Independent Comm School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About North High School
North High School is a public high school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District, serving approximately 1,514 students in grades 9th-12th with a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,151 of 1,280 schools in IA. State assessment records show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about North High School
What grades does North High School serve?
North High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North High School?
North High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,514 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North High School is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North High School rank in IA?
North High School ranks #1,151 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 North High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North High School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is North High School a charter school?
No, North High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North High School a Title I school?
No, North High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North High School?
75.0% of students at North 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,514
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.9%
- Phone
- (515) 242-7200
- 4-Year Graduation
- 73.0%
- Area population (ZIP 50313)
- 18,280
- Area average commute
- 17.5 min
- Area median age
- 37.6
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 50313; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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