North High School

Summary:

North High School is a public high school located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,458 students. The school is part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, which is ranked 301 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

North High School has a significantly more diverse student population compared to the nearby schools, with a racial makeup of 19.55% White, 25.65% African American, 36.15% Hispanic, 11.39% Asian, and 6.31% two or more races. The school also has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 86.69% to 88.76% over the past three school years, which is significantly higher than the other schools in the district and the surrounding area. However, North High School's academic performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better in ISASP tests, is consistently lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas.

North High School has consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of Iowa high schools based on the SchoolDigger statewide ranking, with a 0-star rating for the past several years. While the nearby schools, such as Lincoln High School, East High School, and Saydel High School, also have lower academic performance compared to the state averages, North High School's performance is consistently the lowest among the schools in the district and the surrounding area. The school's spending per student ($15,636 in 2018-2019) is higher than the nearby schools, suggesting that the issue may not be solely related to funding, and the district and school leadership may need to examine how resources are being allocated and utilized to improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 501 Holcomb Ave
       Des Moines, IA  50313


(515) 242-7200

District: Des Moines Independent Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
325th of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,636 Help


Feeder schools for North High School:

Elementary:    Cattell Elementary School
    Findley Elementary School
    Garton Elementary
    Madison Elementary School
    More...
Middle:    Goodrell Middle School
    Harding Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  22.2 Help
Number of students:  1,514

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
36.9%
African American:
25.6%
White:
19.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  75% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details North High School ranks worse than 96.2% of high schools in Iowa. It also ranks 4th among 5 ranked high schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 2.17. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at North High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at North High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (36.9%), African American (25.6%), White (19.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 75% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Des Moines Independent Community School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at North High School is 22.2, which is the lowest among 5 high schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare North High School employs 68 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at North High School is $15,636, which is the 2nd highest among 5 high schools in the Des Moines Independent Community School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

North High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks North High School 325th of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See North High School in the ranking list.)

Des Moines Independent Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Des Moines Independent Community School District 301st of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for North High School?

Rank History for North High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools IA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2012 0.73 342nd 351 2.6%
2013 12.11 327th 351 6.8%
2014 0.08 318th 322 1.2%
2015 0.35 317th 324 2.2%
2016 1.19 314th 320 1.9%
2017 0.82 316th 325 2.8%
2018 0.47 312th 320 2.5%
2019 1.04 320th 327 2.1%
2021 1.16 320th 327 2.1%
2022 2.98 327th 332 1.5%
2023 2.12 329th 336 2.1%
2024 2.17 325th 338 3.8%
See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Iowa Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

North High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Sunday, October 23, 2016

Open Quote The school fired the drama, the two engineering education teachers, three science teachers, a math a sewing teacher. The football program stinks, they are worse than the Cubs. The principal penalizes us by shortening the lunch hour and the administrators are unfeeling toward us. They have got rid of the old caring teachers and the young are naive and believe anything the principal says. I can't see how the President obama came here and thought it was so great, and now we are a demonstration school. WHat for to demonstrate how the morale is terrible. A teacher had on the wall, "The beatings will continue until the morale improves." They need to fire all the administration here and get some people who really care about the students. I graduate this year, I sure hope what they claim I know is what everyone else knows. Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Open Quote Since Matt Smith left North High, there has been a steady decline in all areas of improvement. North High is back to the 2008 standards. Students are rude to teachers, they are more interested on what games to play with their school iPads, personal smart phones. Discipline is at a new low.

The older staff have been forced out of the building,either forced to resign, retire or just gone. The younger teachers and new administration seem less student orientated and they don't care or see that what Dr. Smith's methods worked, they are doing what many parents do, not get student focused.

They have school improvement leaders who are more orientated to blaming teachers than to bring in failing students and getting them back on track.

It is time for a change Close Quote



Enrollment information for North High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 621 171 124 16 2 n/a n/a 0 934
1989 589 169 111 18 4 n/a n/a 0 891
1990 604 133 106 23 2 n/a n/a 0 868
1991 657 173 115 21 3 n/a n/a 0 969
1992 699 219 139 21 0 n/a n/a 0 1078
1993 778 199 151 26 1 n/a n/a 0 1155
1994 767 188 152 25 6 n/a n/a 0 1138
1995 766 204 151 38 5 n/a n/a 0 1164
1996 766 204 151 38 5 n/a n/a 0 1164
1997 746 231 160 45 4 n/a n/a 0 1186
1998 706 233 126 65 4 n/a n/a 0 1134
1999 648 245 134 73 4 n/a n/a 0 1104
2000 611 230 134 115 3 n/a n/a 0 1093
2001 609 221 132 168 2 n/a n/a 0 1132
2002 696 250 111 197 8 n/a n/a 0 1262
2003 696 250 111 197 8 n/a n/a 0 1262
2004 688 245 87 175 3 n/a n/a 0 1198
2005 681 256 79 166 4 n/a n/a 0 1186
2006 663 246 74 168 5 n/a n/a 0 1156
2007 633 245 77 172 3 n/a n/a 0 1130
2008 580 248 82 229 4 n/a n/a 0 1143
2009 556 274 70 221 9 n/a n/a 0 1130
2010 486 266 92 269 5 3 45 0 1166
2011 461 239 106 269 3 3 55 0 1136
2012 430 222 100 293 3 3 70 0 1121
2013 413 262 116 317 6 3 69 0 1186
2014 423 291 124 340 6 2 71 0 1257
2015 369 302 121 327 3 4 72 0 1198
2016 391 317 129 339 4 4 75 0 1259
2017 342 322 136 384 9 4 77 0 1274
2018 332 342 148 411 8 6 72 0 1319
2019 336 417 162 444 9 6 80 0 1454
2020 321 369 170 447 4 3 82 0 1396
2021 315 387 186 503 7 3 96 0 1497
2022 297 392 161 479 7 3 94 0 1433
2023 285 374 166 527 10 3 92 1 1458
2024 301 387 161 558 11 4 91 1 1514

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at North High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 934 67.6 13.8 40.9
1989 891 66.2 13.4 33.4
1990 868 53.4 16.2 22.4
1991 969 74.8 12.9 23.3
1992 1078 69.0 15.6 24.9
1993 1155 74.9 15.4 26
1994 1138 86.4 13.2 27.2
1995 1164 72.3 16.1 29.4
1996 1164 72.3 16.1 29.4
1997 1186 72.3 16.4 35.9
1998 1134 72.3 15.7 40.7
1999 1104 64.5 17.1 55.2
2000 1093 74.6 14.7 52.9
2001 1132 76.4 14.8 59
2002 1262 78.5 16.1 56.9
2003 1262 78.5 16.1 56.9
2004 1198 85.1 14.1 58
2005 1186 75.5 15.7 64.8
2006 1156 76.2 15.2 68.3
2007 1130 77.7 14.5 60.6
2008 1143 78.0 14.7 71.7
2009 1130 77.9 14.5 68.9
2010 1166 77.3 15.0 77.3
2011 1136 66.5 17.0 76.8
2012 1121 66.0 16.9 78.9
2013 1186 67.9 17.4 84.7
2014 1257 72.3 17.3 80.6
2015 1198 70.0 17.1 82.1
2016 1259 80.0 15.7 84.6
2017 1274 76.4 16.6 86.1
2018 1319 71.0 18.5 86.1
2019 1454 71.5 20.3 88.6
2020 1396 66.5 20.9 86
2021 1497 66.0 22.6 87
2022 1433 65.9 21.7 88.8
2023 1458 66.0 22.0 86.7
2024 1514 68.0 22.2 75

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio North High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 934 67.6 13.8 40.9
1989 891 66.2 13.4 33.4
1990 868 53.4 16.2 22.4
1991 969 74.8 12.9 23.3
1992 1078 69.0 15.6 24.9
1993 1155 74.9 15.4 26
1994 1138 86.4 13.2 27.2
1995 1164 72.3 16.1 29.4
1996 1164 72.3 16.1 29.4
1997 1186 72.3 16.4 35.9
1998 1134 72.3 15.7 40.7
1999 1104 64.5 17.1 55.2
2000 1093 74.6 14.7 52.9
2001 1132 76.4 14.8 59
2002 1262 78.5 16.1 56.9
2003 1262 78.5 16.1 56.9
2004 1198 85.1 14.1 58
2005 1186 75.5 15.7 64.8
2006 1156 76.2 15.2 68.3
2007 1130 77.7 14.5 60.6
2008 1143 78.0 14.7 71.7
2009 1130 77.9 14.5 68.9
2010 1166 77.3 15.0 77.3
2011 1136 66.5 17.0 76.8
2012 1121 66.0 16.9 78.9
2013 1186 67.9 17.4 84.7
2014 1257 72.3 17.3 80.6
2015 1198 70.0 17.1 82.1
2016 1259 80.0 15.7 84.6
2017 1274 76.4 16.6 86.1
2018 1319 71.0 18.5 86.1
2019 1454 71.5 20.3 88.6
2020 1396 66.5 20.9 86
2021 1497 66.0 22.6 87
2022 1433 65.9 21.7 88.8
2023 1458 66.0 22.0 86.7
2024 1514 68.0 22.2 75

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for North High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $747 (4.8%) $14,889 (95.2%) $15,636

Data source: Iowa Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on North High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 320th of 327 High schoolsRanks 329th of 336 High schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (North High School)42.942.2
 0.7%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)53.354.4
 1.1%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)74.372.9
 1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (North High School)37.636.7
 0.9%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)48.545.7
 2.8%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)67.167
 0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (North High School)36.346.9
 10.6%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Des Moines Independent Community School District)44.350.2
 5.9%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)71.468.7
 2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (North High School)32.540.5
 8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Des Moines Independent Community School District)38.943.7
 4.8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)66.967.3
 0.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students14541458
 0.3%
African American417374
 10.3%
American Indian910
 11.1%
Asian162166
 2.5%
Hispanic444527
 18.7%
Pacific Islander63
 50%
White336285
 15.2%
Two or More Races8092
 15%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients88.6%86.7%
 1.9%


Schools Near North High School









Frequently Asked Questions about North High School

Students at North High School are 37% Hispanic, 26% African American, 20% White, 11% Asian, 6% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,514 students attended North High School.

North High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Cattell Elementary School
Elementary : Findley Elementary School
Elementary : Garton Elementary
Elementary : Madison Elementary School
Elementary : Moulton Elementary School
Elementary : Oak Park
Middle : Goodrell Middle School
Middle : Harding Middle School

North High School ranks in the bottom 3.8% of Iowa high schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Iowa Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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