Southeast Polk High School

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:
251st of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,031 Help


Feeder schools for Southeast Polk High School:

Elementary:    Altoona Elementary
    Centennial Elementary
    Clay Elementary
    Delaware Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Southeast Polk Junior High
    Spring Creek - 6th Grade

Student/teacher ratio:  18.9 Help
Number of students:  2,353

Racial breakdown:

White:
76.2%
Hispanic:
9.8%
African American:
6.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  31.6% Help


 See top rated Iowa high schools

 Compare Southeast Polk High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Southeast Polk High School ranks worse than 74.3% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.22. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (76.2%), Hispanic (9.8%), African American (6.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 31.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southeast Polk High School is 18.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Southeast Polk High School employs 124.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
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 251st 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 112th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Southeast Polk High School?

Rank History for Southeast Polk High School

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

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

Southeast Polk 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
Thursday, December 8, 2016

Open Quote 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

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 967 2 6 3 2 n/a n/a 0 980
1989 934 1 12 6 3 n/a n/a 0 956
1990 881 1 9 5 2 n/a n/a 0 898
1991 921 2 14 8 2 n/a n/a 0 947
1992 937 2 16 4 3 n/a n/a 0 962
1993 924 6 14 4 3 n/a n/a 0 951
1994 1061 5 16 9 3 n/a n/a 0 1094
1995 1194 7 10 20 5 n/a n/a 0 1236
1996 1194 7 10 20 5 n/a n/a 0 1236
1997 1315 4 6 21 8 n/a n/a 0 1354
1998 1302 8 11 19 9 n/a n/a 0 1349
1999 1295 5 14 20 6 n/a n/a 0 1340
2000 1310 4 21 23 11 n/a n/a 0 1369
2001 1322 2 19 21 8 n/a n/a 0 1372
2002 1299 5 16 26 7 n/a n/a 0 1353
2003 1299 5 16 26 7 n/a n/a 0 1353
2004 1247 7 23 25 4 n/a n/a 0 1306
2005 1251 8 26 35 8 n/a n/a 0 1328
2006 1390 19 32 45 10 n/a n/a 0 1496
2007 1448 29 42 54 8 n/a n/a 0 1581
2008 1532 31 48 50 7 n/a n/a 0 1668
2009 1579 28 40 45 6 n/a n/a 0 1698
2010 1552 37 40 75 4 1 15 0 1724
2011 1605 35 40 89 5 0 17 0 1791
2012 1595 37 45 100 6 0 33 0 1816
2013 1662 34 45 131 2 0 45 0 1919
2014 1735 43 43 119 2 0 52 0 1994
2015 1695 42 44 140 3 4 52 0 1980
2016 1730 63 47 142 1 3 74 0 2060
2017 1673 75 47 128 2 7 71 0 2003
2018 1721 92 51 130 1 3 75 0 2073
2019 1701 94 46 133 0 2 83 0 2059
2020 1728 100 48 150 1 6 81 0 2114
2021 1768 106 47 158 2 4 87 0 2172
2022 1784 133 50 196 2 8 105 0 2278
2023 1793 151 53 231 4 9 112 0 2353

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

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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

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

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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

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

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal 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 148th of 327 High schoolsRanks 217th 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)76.167.7
 8.4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Community School District)76.167.7
 8.4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)74.372.9
 1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk High School)73.966.8
 7.1%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Community School District)73.966.8
 7.1%
   10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)67.167
 0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk High School)66.462.5
 3.9%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Southeast Polk Community School District)66.462.5
 3.9%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)71.468.7
 2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk High School)72.571.3
 1.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Southeast Polk Community School District)72.571.3
 1.2%
   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 Students20592353
 14.3%
African American94151
 60.6%
American Indian04
Asian4653
 15.2%
Hispanic133231
 73.7%
Pacific Islander29
 350%
White17011793
 5.4%
Two or More Races83112
 34.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients26.5%31.6%
 5.2%


Schools Near Southeast Polk High School









Frequently Asked Questions about 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

Students at Southeast Polk High School are 76% White, 10% Hispanic, 6% African American, 5% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,353 students attended Southeast Polk High School.

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


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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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