Southeast Polk High School

Q: Is Southeast Polk High School a good school?

Southeast Polk High School ranks 251 st of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Southeast Polk High School is a public high school located in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, serving 2,353 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Southeast Polk Community School District, which is ranked 112 out of 309 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Southeast Polk High School has seen mixed results compared to state averages. While the school's 9th-grade English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rate of 70.7% was close to the state average of 74.9%, the 10th and 11th-grade ELA proficiency rates were lower at 71% and 61.9%, respectively. In mathematics, the school's proficiency rates for 10th and 11th grades were also below the state averages at 60.3% and 65.4%. The school's 10th-grade science proficiency rate of 54% was lower than the state average of 59.5%. Nearby Ankeny High School consistently outperforms Southeast Polk High School in academic assessments, while schools like Roosevelt High School and North High School have significantly lower academic performance.

The percentage of students at Southeast Polk High School receiving free or reduced-price lunch has been increasing, from 28.45% in 2020-2021 to 31.62% in 2022-2023, which may indicate a growing economic need within the school's community. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 148 out of 327 Iowa high schools in 2018-2019 to 251 out of 338 in 2023-2024, with a corresponding decrease in its SchoolDigger rating from 3 stars to 1 star. These trends suggest the need for further analysis and targeted interventions to improve student outcomes at Southeast Polk High School.

Detail:

Public 9-12

7945 NE University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

(515) 967-6631

District: Southeast Polk Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
251^st of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,031

Feeder schools for Southeast Polk High School:

Elementary:	Altoona Elementary
	Centennial Elementary
	Clay Elementary
	Delaware Elementary
	More...
	Four Mile Elementary
	Mitchellville Elementary
	Runnells Elementary
	Willowbrook Elementary
Middle:	Southeast Polk Junior High
	Spring Creek - 6th Grade

Student/teacher ratio: 18.1

Number of students: 2,294

Racial breakdown:

White:

74.6%

Hispanic:

9.8%

African American:

7.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 33.5%

See top rated Iowa high schools

Compare Southeast Polk High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southeast Polk High School ranks worse than 74.3% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.22. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Southeast Polk High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (74.6%), Hispanic (9.8%), African American (7.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 33.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southeast Polk High School is 18.1. (See more...)

Compare Southeast Polk High School employs 126.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southeast Polk High School is $14,031.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Southeast Polk High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Southeast Polk High School 251^st of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Southeast Polk High School in the ranking list.)

Southeast Polk Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Southeast Polk Community School District 112^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Southeast Polk High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	60.12	167^th	351	52.4%
2013	53.26	200^th	351	43.0%
2014	57.26	154^th	322	52.2%
2015	48.87	198^th	324	38.9%
2016	50.08	179^th	320	44.1%
2017	42.19	226^th	325	30.5%
2018	46.00	209^th	320	34.7%
2019	55.78	148^th	327	54.7%
2021	55.46	154^th	327	52.9%
2022	45.12	196^th	332	41.0%
2023	44.19	217^th	336	35.4%
2024	36.22	251^st	338	25.7%

See the entire list of Iowa High School Rankings!

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

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Thursday, December 8, 2016

this school has terrible teachers and students who swear to much and try to act cool all the time and distract me from my learning Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southeast Polk High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	967	2	6	3	2	n/a	n/a	980
1989	934	1	12	6	3	n/a	n/a	956
1990	881	1	9	5	2	n/a	n/a	898
1991	921	2	14	8	2	n/a	n/a	947
1992	937	2	16	4	3	n/a	n/a	962
1993	924	6	14	4	3	n/a	n/a	951
1994	1061	5	16	9	3	n/a	n/a	1094
1995	1194	7	10	20	5	n/a	n/a	1236
1996	1194	7	10	20	5	n/a	n/a	1236
1997	1315	4	6	21	8	n/a	n/a	1354
1998	1302	8	11	19	9	n/a	n/a	1349
1999	1295	5	14	20	6	n/a	n/a	1340
2000	1310	4	21	23	11	n/a	n/a	1369
2001	1322	2	19	21	8	n/a	n/a	1372
2002	1299	5	16	26	7	n/a	n/a	1353
2003	1299	5	16	26	7	n/a	n/a	1353
2004	1247	7	23	25	4	n/a	n/a	1306
2005	1251	8	26	35	8	n/a	n/a	1328
2006	1390	19	32	45	10	n/a	n/a	1496
2007	1448	29	42	54	8	n/a	n/a	1581
2008	1532	31	48	50	7	n/a	n/a	1668
2009	1579	28	40	45	6	n/a	n/a	1698
2010	1552	37	40	75	4	1	15	1724
2011	1605	35	40	89	5	0	17	1791
2012	1595	37	45	100	6	0	33	1816
2013	1662	34	45	131	2	0	45	1919
2014	1735	43	43	119	2	0	52	1994
2015	1695	42	44	140	3	4	52	1980
2016	1730	63	47	142	1	3	74	2060
2017	1673	75	47	128	2	7	71	2003
2018	1721	92	51	130	1	3	75	2073
2019	1701	94	46	133	0	2	83	2059
2020	1728	100	48	150	1	6	81	2114
2021	1768	106	47	158	2	4	87	2172
2022	1784	133	50	196	2	8	105	2278
2023	1793	151	53	231	4	9	112	2353
2024	1712	180	47	225	5	5	120	2294

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 Southeast Polk High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	980	63.2	15.5	6.3
1989	956	64.2	14.8	3.6
1990	898	64.9	13.8	8
1991	947	60.4	15.6	5.3
1992	962	56.0	17.1	6.2
1993	951	59.4	16.0	2.7
1994	1094	64.2	17.0	3.9
1995	1236	77.5	15.9	5.7
1996	1236	77.5	15.9	5.7
1997	1354	80.2	16.9	5.3
1998	1349	85.0	15.9	5.1
1999	1340	83.0	16.1	7.9
2000	1369	91.0	15.0	7.3
2001	1372	84.0	16.3	7.4
2002	1353	91.0	14.9	9.5
2003	1353	91.0	14.9	9.5
2004	1306	93.0	14.0	11.3
2005	1328	96.0	13.8	12.4
2006	1496	106.0	14.1	13.4
2007	1581	107.0	14.8	14
2008	1668	110.0	15.2	14.5
2009	1698	117.0	14.5	17.4
2010	1724	119.0	14.4	22.6
2011	1791	110.0	16.2	27.5
2012	1816	114.0	15.9	23.3
2013	1919	113.8	16.8	28.7
2014	1994	113.3	17.5	25.2
2015	1980	114.0	17.3	24.8
2016	2060	114.0	18.0	25.7
2017	2003	113.5	17.6	25.4
2018	2073	112.5	18.4	28.9
2019	2059	112.0	18.3	26.5
2020	2114	115.7	18.2	28.2
2021	2172	119.2	18.2	28.5
2022	2278	120.8	18.8	30.3
2023	2353	124.3	18.9	31.6
2024	2294	126.2	18.1	33.5

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 Southeast Polk High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	980	63.2	15.5	6.3
1989	956	64.2	14.8	3.6
1990	898	64.9	13.8	8
1991	947	60.4	15.6	5.3
1992	962	56.0	17.1	6.2
1993	951	59.4	16.0	2.7
1994	1094	64.2	17.0	3.9
1995	1236	77.5	15.9	5.7
1996	1236	77.5	15.9	5.7
1997	1354	80.2	16.9	5.3
1998	1349	85.0	15.9	5.1
1999	1340	83.0	16.1	7.9
2000	1369	91.0	15.0	7.3
2001	1372	84.0	16.3	7.4
2002	1353	91.0	14.9	9.5
2003	1353	91.0	14.9	9.5
2004	1306	93.0	14.0	11.3
2005	1328	96.0	13.8	12.4
2006	1496	106.0	14.1	13.4
2007	1581	107.0	14.8	14
2008	1668	110.0	15.2	14.5
2009	1698	117.0	14.5	17.4
2010	1724	119.0	14.4	22.6
2011	1791	110.0	16.2	27.5
2012	1816	114.0	15.9	23.3
2013	1919	113.8	16.8	28.7
2014	1994	113.3	17.5	25.2
2015	1980	114.0	17.3	24.8
2016	2060	114.0	18.0	25.7
2017	2003	113.5	17.6	25.4
2018	2073	112.5	18.4	28.9
2019	2059	112.0	18.3	26.5
2020	2114	115.7	18.2	28.2
2021	2172	119.2	18.2	28.5
2022	2278	120.8	18.8	30.3
2023	2353	124.3	18.9	31.6
2024	2294	126.2	18.1	33.5

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 Southeast Polk High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$366 (2.6%)	$13,665 (97.4%)	$14,031

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southeast Polk 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 148^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 217^th of 336 High schools	19.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk High School)	76.1	67.7	8.4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Community School District)	76.1	67.7	8.4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk High School)	73.9	66.8	7.1%
10th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Community School District)	73.9	66.8	7.1%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk High School)	66.4	62.5	3.9%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Community School District)	66.4	62.5	3.9%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk High School)	72.5	71.3	1.2%
11th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Community School District)	72.5	71.3	1.2%
11th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	66.9	67.3	0.4%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	2059	2353	14.3%
African American	94	151	60.6%
American Indian	0	4
Asian	46	53	15.2%
Hispanic	133	231	73.7%
Pacific Islander	2	9	350%
White	1701	1793	5.4%
Two or More Races	83	112	34.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	26.5%	31.6%	5.2%

Schools Near Southeast Polk High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ISASP English Language Arts (2024)			ISASP Mathematics (2024)			ISASP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISASP English Language Arts 9th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 10th Grade	ISASP English Language Arts 11th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 9th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 10th Grade	ISASP Mathematics 11th Grade	ISASP Science 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southeast Polk High School	Public	9-12	7945 NE University Ave.	Pleasant Hill	50327	Polk County	Southeast Polk Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 967-6631	2,294	126	18.1	33.5%	1,712 (74.6%)	180 (7.8%)	225 (9.8%)	47 (2.0%)	5 (0.2%)	5 (0.2%)	120 (5.2%)	36.2	251^st of 338 public high schools	25.7%		44.2	217^th of 336 public high schools	35.4%	34	70.7	71.0	61.9	63.0	60.3	65.4	54.0	$14,031	$366	$13,665
Carlisle High School	Public	9-12	430 School St	Carlisle	50047	Warren County	Carlisle Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 989-0831	730	34	21.6	25.9%	602 (82.5%)	11 (1.5%)	65 (8.9%)	20 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (4.0%)	72.8	75^th of 338 public high schools	77.8%		33.6	255^th of 336 public high schools	24.1%	180	88.8	87.6	84.4	69.8	71.4	71.5	74.6	$11,863	$126	$11,737
Bondurant-Farrar High School	Public	9-12	1000 Grant St. North	Bondurant	50035	Polk County	Bondurant-Farrar Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 957-8191	804	52	15.6	19.0%	680 (84.6%)	27 (3.4%)	56 (7.0%)	12 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	26 (3.2%)	59	153^rd of 338 public high schools	54.7%		56.9	156^th of 336 public high schools	53.6%	3	75.9	71.1	72.8	74.1	69.1	79.9	68.6	$12,930	$241	$12,689
East High School	Public	9-12	815 E 13th St	Des Moines	50316	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-7788	2,014	85	23.5	69.5%	501 (24.9%)	332 (16.5%)	915 (45.4%)	134 (6.7%)	13 (0.6%)	6 (0.3%)	110 (5.5%)	2.1	326^th of 338 public high schools	3.6%		2.6	328^th of 336 public high schools	2.4%	2	41.8	43.8	47.7	28.4	33.4	38.3	27.3	$14,908	$672	$14,236
North High School	Public	9-12	501 Holcomb Ave	Des Moines	50313	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(515) 242-7200	1,514	68	22.2	75.0%	301 (19.9%)	387 (25.6%)	558 (36.9%)	161 (10.6%)	11 (0.7%)	4 (0.3%)	91 (6.0%)	2.2	325^th of 338 public high schools	3.8%		2.1	329^th of 336 public high schools	2.1%	4	46.0	46.4	41.2	36.0	39.4	30.9	27.2	$15,636	$747	$14,889
Saydel High School	Public	9-12	5601 NE 7th St	Des Moines	50313	Polk County	Saydel Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 262-9325	440	29	15.0	58.4%	307 (69.8%)	4 (0.9%)	91 (20.7%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (7.5%)	12.6	308^th of 338 public high schools	8.9%		8.5	313^th of 336 public high schools	6.8%	5	51.5	61.4	40.4	40.6	60.2	46.3	42.1	$15,532	$350	$15,182
Lincoln High School	Public	9-12	2600 SW 9th St	Des Moines	50315	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-7500	2,441	89	27.2	66.3%	815 (33.4%)	382 (15.6%)	911 (37.3%)	188 (7.7%)	8 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	130 (5.3%)	2.7	324^th of 338 public high schools	4.1%		4.5	324^th of 336 public high schools	3.6%		43.4	45.1	47.4	30.9	37.2	37.8	33.1	$14,888	$697	$14,190
Virtual Campus	Public, Virtual	9-12	1800 Grand Avenue	Des Moines	50309	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	No	(515) 242-8502	387	21	18.7	64.1%	190 (49.1%)	44 (11.4%)	104 (26.9%)	15 (3.9%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (7.2%)	8.9	314^th of 338 public high schools	7.1%		5.2	322^nd of 336 public high schools	4.2%	8	52.1	64.3	61.1	33.3	40.0	30.1	34.3
Ankeny High School	Public	10-12	1155 SW Cherry St	Ankeny	50023	Polk County	Ankeny Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 965-9630	1,346	80	16.8	15.0%	1,059 (78.7%)	44 (3.3%)	123 (9.1%)	35 (2.6%)	2 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	76 (5.6%)	77.9	42^nd of 338 public high schools	87.6%		85.2	22^nd of 336 public high schools	93.5%	20		86.2	82.7		79.2	79.9	73.5	$15,157	$246	$14,911
Roosevelt High School	Public	9-12	4419 Center St	Des Moines	50312	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-7272	2,039	67	30.5	47.9%	898 (44.0%)	515 (25.3%)	353 (17.3%)	71 (3.5%)	10 (0.5%)	7 (0.3%)	173 (8.5%)	22.5	290^th of 338 public high schools	14.2%		22.8	286^th of 336 public high schools	14.9%	4	66.7	63.8	60.2	56.3	57.5	53.9	43.5	$14,829	$690	$14,140

Frequently Asked Questions about Southeast Polk High School

How many students attend Southeast Polk High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 2,294 students attended Southeast Polk High School.

What schools feed into Southeast Polk High School?

Southeast Polk High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Altoona Elementary
Elementary : Centennial Elementary
Elementary : Clay Elementary
Elementary : Delaware Elementary
Elementary : Four Mile Elementary
Elementary : Mitchellville Elementary
Elementary : Runnells Elementary
Elementary : Willowbrook Elementary
Middle : Southeast Polk Junior High
Middle : Spring Creek - 6th Grade

What district is Southeast Polk High School in?

Southeast Polk Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Southeast Polk High School?

Students at Southeast Polk High School are 75% White, 10% Hispanic, 8% African American, 5% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is Southeast Polk High School a good school?

Southeast Polk High School ranks 251^st of 338 Iowa high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Rate Southeast Polk High School!

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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.