North High School

501 Holcomb Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 1,458 students in grades 9-12, North High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 29% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 64%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 46% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 70%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 28% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,458 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 80%
  • : 68% (Btm 50% in IA)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 46% (Btm 50%)
  • : 36% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

North High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:

School Overview

North High School's student population of 1,458 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 66 teachers has declined by 8% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,458 students
This chart displays total students of North High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of North High School
Total Classroom Teachers
66 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of North High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of North High School by grade.

School Rankings

North High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,233 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of North High School is 0.75, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IA)
#1199 out of 1233 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of North High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
29%
64%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of North High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
46%
70%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
36%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of North High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of North High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
1%
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in North High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
Asian
11%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in North High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
36%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in North High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
26%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in North High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
20%
72%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in North High School and the percentage of White public school students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
6%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in North High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in North High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
0.75
This chart displays the diversity score of North High School and the public school average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
68%
90%
This chart displays graduation rate of North High School and public school graduation rate of Iowa by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
79%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in North High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is North High School's ranking?
North High School is ranked #1199 out of 1,233 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Iowa.
What schools are North High School often compared to?
North High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Hoover High School, East High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 64% IA state average), while 46% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 70% IA state average).
What is the graduation rate of North High School?
The graduation rate of North High School is 68%, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 90%.
How many students attend North High School?
1,458 students attend North High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of North High School students are Hispanic, 26% of students are Black, 20% of students are White, 11% of students are Asian, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of North High School?
North High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 14:1.
What grades does North High School offer ?
North High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is North High School part of?
North High School is part of Des Moines Independent Comm School District.
In what neighborhood is North High School located?
North High School is located in the Union Park neighborhood of Des Moines, IA.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,458 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 80%
  • : 68% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 29% (Btm 50%)
  • : 46% (Btm 50%)
  • : 36% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IA Dept. of Education

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