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Very Good

#376 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 29% in state

Urbandale High School

High School · Urbandale Comm School District

7111 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50322

Enrollment

1,311

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Urbandale

#3 of 7

public schools

Iowa high schools

#64 of 334

In district

#3 of 5

Urbandale Comm School District

About Urbandale High School

Urbandale High School serves 1,311 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Urbandale, Iowa. With 93 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. Academically, Urbandale High School shows room for growth, ranking #777 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools.

The school demonstrates stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 72% of students score proficient or above, compared to 61% in mathematics. While these results indicate opportunities for improvement, the school continues to focus on supporting student development across all subject areas. The school draws from a well-established suburban community where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education.

The surrounding 50322 ZIP code area reflects an affluent neighborhood with a median household income of $84,948 and median home values of $247,900. With 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 7.2%, the community provides a stable foundation for educational pursuits. Located at 7111 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale High School sits in a large suburban setting that offers students the benefits of both community connectivity and access to broader metropolitan resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,500

Urbandale High School — Students at Urbandale 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

34.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.9%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 78.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
66%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
61%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
67.5%
ELA
81.9%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Urbandale High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in IA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
93 teachers

Location

7111 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50322

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Urbandale High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hoover High School (rated 6.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), a more accessible option. Additionally, DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby West Des Moines), a more accessible option. For more schools in Urbandale, see our Urbandale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 0.3 mi 7.7
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale 0.5 mi 4.9
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale 0.8 mi 4.8
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 0.9 mi 7.5
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 1.3 mi 5.6
Moore Elementary School Des Moines 1.5 mi 5.4
Clive Learning Academy Des Moines 2.0 mi 7.6
Hillis Elementary School Des Moines 1.9 mi 5.5
Cowles Elementary School Des Moines 2.1 mi 6.0
Hoover High School Des Moines 1.6 mi 6.1
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive 2.0 mi 5.0
Meredith Middle School Des Moines 1.7 mi 6.0
MT OLIVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Des Moines 2.0 mi 8.5
Johnston Middle School Johnston 2.5 mi 6.1
Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston 2.6 mi 5.9
ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Des Moines 2.6 mi 6.7
Lawson Elementary School Johnston 2.6 mi 6.1
Windsor Elementary Des Moines 2.8 mi 6.2
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL West Des Moines 2.9 mi 5.2
HOLY TRINITY Des Moines 2.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50322 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,323

Median Home Value

$263,900

Median Rent

$1,151/mo

Population

31,694

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Urbandale High School has a median household income of $89,323. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,900, with a median rent of $1,151/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. 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
Cedar Falls High School Cedar Falls, IA 7.2
Northwest High School Waukee, IA 7.2
West High School Waterloo, IA 7.0
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA 6.7
Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA 6.7
West Senior High School Iowa City, IA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Urbandale High School

What grades does Urbandale High School serve?

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

How many students attend Urbandale High School?

Urbandale High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,311 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Urbandale High School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Urbandale High School rank in IA?

Urbandale High School is ranked #376 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Urbandale High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Urbandale High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Urbandale High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Urbandale High School has 65.9% math proficiency and 78.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Urbandale High School a charter school?

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

Is Urbandale High School a Title I school?

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

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

34.3% of students at Urbandale 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (726/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,311
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
93
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Urbandale Comm School District
District Enrollment
4,255
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,693
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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