Needs Improvement
#1151 of 1,280 schools in IA
North High School
High School · Des Moines Independent Comm School District
501 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Enrollment
1,514
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,514
Student-Teacher
22.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,151 of 1,280
In Des Moines
#38 of 64
public schools
In district
#33 of 59
Des Moines Independent Comm School District
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North High School
High School in Des Moines · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Findley Elementary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Moulton Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North High School
North High School is a public high school in Des Moines, IA, part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District. North High School serves approximately 1,514 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. North High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,151 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for North High School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.2
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
North High School runs 22.3:1 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.
59% of students at North 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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North High School — Students at North High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 3.3/10.
How North High School Compares
See how North 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
501 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East High School (rated 2.4/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Virtual Campus (rated 2.1/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Findley Elementary School Des Moines | 0.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Moulton Elementary School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Harding Middle School Des Moines | 0.8 mi | 2.9 |
| Oak Park Des Moines | 1.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Cattell Elementary School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Madison Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Carver Elementary Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 3.8 |
| King Elementary School Des Moines | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines | 1.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Edmunds Elementary School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Hiatt Middle School Des Moines | 1.7 mi | 3.1 |
| East High School Des Moines | 1.8 mi | 2.4 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| JOSHUA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Des Moines | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Monroe Elementary School Des Moines | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Downtown School Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Campus Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 2.1 |
| Capitol View Elementary School Des Moines | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Ruby Van Meter Des Moines | 2.5 mi | 2.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,077
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$1,077/mo
Population
18,280
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
17.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
37.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs, IA | 3.8 |
| Hempstead High School Dubuque, IA | 3.7 |
| Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA | 3.7 |
| Mason City High School Mason City, IA | 3.7 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA | 3.7 |
| Central High School Davenport, IA | 3.9 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,514
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.9%
- Phone
- (515) 242-7200
- 4-Year Graduation
- 73.0%
Resources & Links
District
Des Moines Independent Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 30,277
- Schools in District
- 59
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,518
- District Rank
- #33 of 59
Other Schools in This District
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