For the 2025 school year, there are 22 public high schools serving 26,658 students in Polk County, IA.
The top ranked public high schools in Polk County, IA are North Polk High School, Southview Middle School and Ankeny High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 58% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public high schools.
Polk County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is less than the Iowa average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Dallas Center-grimes High School, with 97% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Polk County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
North Polk High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13930 Ne 6th St
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: 9-12
| 647 students
Rank: #22.
Southview Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1020 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Grades: 8-9
| 881 students
Rank: #33.
Ankeny High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1155 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Grades: 10-12
| 1,346 students
Rank: #44.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1302 N Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Grades: 8-9
| 1,021 students
Rank: #55.
Ankeny Centennial High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2220 Nw State St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Grades: 10-12
| 1,466 students
Rank: #66.
Dallas Center-grimes High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2555 W 1st St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 1,027 students
Rank: #77.
Johnston Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6501 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0476
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0476
Grades: 8-9
| 1,200 students
Rank: #88.
Bondurant-farrar High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Grant St. North
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 957-8191
Bondurant, IA 50035
(515) 957-8191
Grades: 9-12
| 804 students
Rank: #99.
Johnston Senior High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6500 Nw 100th Street
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0449
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0449
Grades: 10-12
| 1,771 students
Rank: #1010.
Valley High School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3650 Woodland Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-4000
Grades: 10-12
| 2,111 students
Rank: #1111.
Valley Southwoods
(Math: 57% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
625 S 35th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-4500
Grades: 9
| 744 students
Rank: #1212.
Urbandale High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7111 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6800
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,311 students
Rank: #1313.
Southeast Polk High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7945 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-6631
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-6631
Grades: 9-12
| 2,294 students
Rank: #1414.
Roosevelt High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4419 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Grades: 9-12
| 2,039 students
Rank: #1515.
Virtual Campus
(Math: 39% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Grades: 9-12
| 387 students
Rank: #1616.
Hoover High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4800 Aurora Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Grades: 9-12
| 923 students
Rank: #1717.
Lincoln High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,441 students
Rank: #1818.
Saydel High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5601 Ne 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 262-9325
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 262-9325
Grades: 9-12
| 440 students
Rank: #1919.
East High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
815 E 13th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7788
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7788
Grades: 9-12
| 2,014 students
Rank: #2020.
North High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 Holcomb Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-7200
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-7200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,514 students
Rank: #2121.
Walnut Creek Campus
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1020 8th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
Grades: 9-12
| 165 students
Rank: #2222.
Ruby Van Meter
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: K-12
| 112 students
Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Grades: 6-12
| 25 students
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Grades: PK
| 99 students
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Grades: K-6
| 259 students
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 458 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Grades: 7-9
| 117 students
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 15 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: K-5
| 10 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: 6-8
| 21 students
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Grades: 9-12
| 57 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
3500 74th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5700
Grades: PK-5
| 296 students
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
1001 Amos Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Grades: 4-5
| 198 students
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-5
| 11 students
Orchard Place School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-12
| 66 students
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Grades: PK-3
| 180 students
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: 6-12
| 135 students
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Grades: PK-8
| 94 students
310 Nw School St
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Grades: K-5
| 277 students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 18 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public high schools in Polk County, IA include North Polk High School, Southview Middle School and Ankeny High School.
How many public high schools are located in Polk County?
22 public high schools are located in Polk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public high schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Polk County include: Lincoln High School vs. East High School, Hoover High School vs. North High School, Bondurant-farrar High School vs. Ankeny High School
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