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Average

#1049 of 1,280 schools in IA

Southeast Polk High School

High School · Southeast Polk Comm School District

7945 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Enrollment

2,294

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pleasant Hill

#3 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#261 of 334

In district

#8 of 11

Southeast Polk Comm School District

About Southeast Polk High School

Southeast Polk High School serves 2,294 students in grades 9-12 in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 126 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive high school experience. Academically, Southeast Polk shows solid performance in English Language Arts with 72% of students scoring proficient or above, while math achievement stands at 60% proficient or above, indicating room for continued growth in mathematical skills.

The school ranks in the 26th percentile among Iowa high schools, positioning it as a developing institution with opportunities to strengthen student outcomes. The school draws from a stable community in ZIP code 50327, where the median household income reaches $89,242 and home values average $285,100. About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a low poverty rate of 7.7%, reflecting the economic stability of families in the district.

Southeast Polk High School sits in a rural setting near Pleasant Hill, offering students a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to the greater Des Moines metropolitan area's opportunities and resources.

What Parents Should Know

Southeast Polk High School is a large school with 2,294 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.

Located in a rural area, Southeast Polk High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,914

Southeast Polk High School — Students at Southeast Polk High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
67.8%
ELA Proficiency 72.2%
School
State
72.8%

Based on 11 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
72%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
69.8%
ELA
74.5%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Southeast Polk High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
18th percentile in IA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
126 teachers

Location

7945 NE University Ave., Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southeast Polk High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Carlisle Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), which scores notably higher. Another option is Altoona Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Altoona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Centennial Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Altoona), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pleasant Hill, see our Pleasant Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill 0.2 mi 4.6
Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill 0.4 mi 5.2
Clay Elementary Altoona 2.0 mi 4.9
Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill 1.9 mi 6.0
Centennial Elementary Altoona 3.1 mi 6.7
Altoona Elementary Altoona 3.6 mi 6.8
Willowbrook Elementary Altoona 4.1 mi 4.8
Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines 3.9 mi 5.4
Delaware Elementary Des Moines 4.8 mi 6.2
Hoyt Middle School Des Moines 4.7 mi 4.0
Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines 4.8 mi 4.9
McKee Elementary School Des Moines 4.9 mi 5.1
Morris Elementary Bondurant 6.8 mi 5.3
Anderson Elementary School Bondurant 6.9 mi 6.5
Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant 7.0 mi 5.4
Stowe Elementary School Des Moines 5.4 mi 4.6
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines 5.5 mi 5.0
Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville 6.6 mi 6.4
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 7.3 mi 6.9
Carlisle High School Carlisle 7.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,759

Median Home Value

$303,000

Median Rent

$1,219/mo

Population

12,875

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southeast Polk High School has a median household income of $90,759. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $303,000, with a median rent of $1,219/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines, IA 5.2
East High School Sioux City, IA 4.9
North High School Des Moines, IA 5.3
Hempstead High School Dubuque, IA 4.8
North High School Sioux City, IA 4.8
Central High School Davenport, IA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southeast Polk High School

What grades does Southeast Polk High School serve?

Southeast Polk High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Southeast Polk High School?

Southeast Polk High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,294 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southeast Polk High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southeast Polk High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southeast Polk High School rank in IA?

Southeast Polk High School is ranked #1049 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Southeast Polk High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southeast Polk High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Southeast Polk High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southeast Polk High School has 67.3% math proficiency and 72.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southeast Polk High School a charter school?

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

Is Southeast Polk High School a Title I school?

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

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

33.5% of students at Southeast Polk 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (132/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,294
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
126
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southeast Polk Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,424
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,583
District Rank
#8 of 11

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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