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Needs Improvement

#1229 of 1,280 schools in IA

Saydel High School

High School · Saydel Comm School District

5601 NE 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50313

Enrollment

440

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Moines

#57 of 64

public schools

Iowa high schools

#320 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Saydel Comm School District

About Saydel High School

Saydel High School is a regular public high school located in the large suburban area of Des Moines, Iowa. Serving grades 9 through 12, Saydel High has an enrollment of 440 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting offers a blend of urban amenities and suburban living.

Academically, Saydel High School is currently focusing on student development as it ranks at the lower end in state assessments. With only 56% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading, 43% in Math, and 44% in Science, there is room for academic growth. Despite these challenges, the school community remains committed to supporting students through their high school years.

Saydel High School stands out as part of a vibrant suburban neighborhood in Des Moines.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50%
Math vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,530

Saydel High School — Students at Saydel High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
50%
2025
Math
45.1%
ELA
55.3%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Saydel High School Compares

See how Saydel High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
4th percentile in IA
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

5601 NE 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50313

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Saydel High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ankeny High School (rated 6.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North High School (rated 5.3/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Des Moines, see our Des Moines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Woodside Middle School Des Moines 0.4 mi 6.6
Cornell Elementary School Des Moines 0.5 mi 7.9
Madison Elementary School Des Moines 2.0 mi 3.4
Oak Park Des Moines 2.2 mi 5.6
Harding Middle School Des Moines 2.4 mi 3.2
Cattell Elementary School Des Moines 2.6 mi 7.2
Findley Elementary School Des Moines 2.7 mi 5.8
North High School Des Moines 3.1 mi 5.3
Crocker Elementary School Ankeny 3.0 mi 6.2
GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.7 mi 4.7
Heritage Elementary Ankeny 3.5 mi 7.7
Garton Elementary Des Moines 3.2 mi 7.8
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL DES MOINES CAMPUS Des Moines 3.2 mi 5.0
Prairie Trail Elementary Ankeny 3.7 mi 6.7
Goodrell Middle School Des Moines 3.4 mi 4.3
Moulton Elementary School Des Moines 3.9 mi 7.6
Ankeny High School Ankeny 4.0 mi 6.4
Jessie Franklin Taylor Des Moines 3.8 mi 5.5
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Des Moines 4.1 mi 8.4
Southview Middle School Ankeny 4.1 mi 7.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Saydel High School has a median household income of $64,077. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $1,077/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Center Point-Urbana High School Center Point, IA 3.9
West Liberty High School West Liberty, IA 3.9
Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett, IA 4.0
Atlantic High School Atlantic, IA 4.0
Nevada High School Nevada, IA 3.8
West Marshall High School State Center, IA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Saydel High School

What grades does Saydel High School serve?

Saydel High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Saydel High School?

Saydel High School has an enrollment of approximately 440 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Saydel High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Saydel High School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Saydel High School rank in IA?

Saydel High School is ranked #1229 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Saydel High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Saydel High School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Saydel High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saydel High School has 42.7% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Saydel High School a charter school?

No, Saydel High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Saydel High School a Title I school?

No, Saydel High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saydel High School?

58.4% of students at Saydel 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

City Safety
High (3,846/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saydel Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,376
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,826
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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