North High School

North High School serves 1,514 students in grades 9-12 in Des Moines, Iowa. With 68 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.3:1, providing a substantial high school environment for families in the area. Academically, North High School has significant room for growth, with 46% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 29% in mathematics.

The school ranks among Iowa's lower-performing high schools, indicating opportunities for increased support and improvement initiatives to help students reach their full potential. The school is situated in the 50313 ZIP code area, a diverse community with a median household income of $61,532 and median home values around $146,900. The neighborhood has a poverty rate of 13.2%, and about 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

This working-class community of approximately 18,291 residents provides an authentic urban environment for students. Located on Holcomb Avenue in Des Moines, North High School sits within Iowa's capital city, offering students access to the resources and opportunities that come with a mid-size city setting while maintaining strong community connections.

While current test scores at North 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 North High School is 22.3:1, 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.