Urbandale High School

Summary:

Urbandale High School is a public high school serving 1,347 students in grades 9-12 in Urbandale, Iowa, which is part of the Urbandale Community School District. The school has consistently performed above the state average on standardized tests, with 10th-grade proficiency rates of 70.7% in English Language Arts, 64.7% in Math, and 51.7% in Science, compared to the state averages of 73.8%, 66%, and 59.5%, respectively.

Urbandale High School has a more diverse student population compared to some nearby schools, with a racial makeup of 68.52% White, 6.16% African American, 13.73% Hispanic, and 5.64% Asian. However, the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch has increased significantly, from 8.26% in 2020-2021 to 36.38% in 2022-2023, indicating a growing population of economically disadvantaged students. The school maintains a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 14.5 to 15 over the past three school years.

While Urbandale High School generally outperforms nearby schools like East High School and Hoover High School in academic metrics, its statewide ranking has declined from 124 out of 327 Iowa high schools in 2020-2021 to 263 out of 338 in 2023-2024, despite maintaining a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. This suggests that the school may be facing challenges in keeping up with the performance of other high-achieving schools in the state.

Detail:

Public 9-12

7111 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322-1741

(515) 457-6800

District: Urbandale Community School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
263^rd of 338 Iowa High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,428

Student/teacher ratio: 14.0

Number of students: 1,311

Racial breakdown:

White:

65.3%

Hispanic:

15.7%

African American:

6.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 34.3%

See top rated Iowa high schools

Compare Urbandale High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Urbandale High School ranks worse than 77.8% of high schools in Iowa. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.29. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Urbandale 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 (65.3%), Hispanic (15.7%), African American (6.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 34.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Urbandale High School is 14. (See more...)

Compare Urbandale High School employs 93.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Urbandale High School is $11,428.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Urbandale High School 263^rd of 338 Iowa public high schools. (See Urbandale High School in the ranking list.)

Urbandale Community School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Urbandale Community School District 175^th of 309 Iowa school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Urbandale High School.

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Rank History for Urbandale High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	IA State Percentile
2012	62.08	154^th	351	56.1%
2013	63.67	136^th	351	61.3%
2014	49.73	193^rd	322	40.1%
2015	46.87	209^th	324	35.5%
2016	53.17	166^th	320	48.1%
2017	50.76	192^nd	325	40.9%
2018	55.92	163^rd	320	49.1%
2019	58.09	137^th	327	58.1%
2021	60.90	124^th	327	62.1%
2022	52.28	170^th	332	48.8%
2023	43.53	219^th	336	34.8%
2024	34.29	263^rd	338	22.2%

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: 3.7)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a parent
Sunday, December 12, 2021

If you are rich and your child is perefect, attractive and popular and can learn completely on their own with very little guidance, this is the school for you. However, if even only one of those is not true of you and your child, don't send your child here. Its a very hostile environment. Bullies get away with everything. Teachers who actually get called out for not helping a student with concerns, sexual harassment and bullying blame other kids for not doing their job for them (I'm looking at you, Jayhawk Band). Most families in this district don't hold their children accountable for their behaviors so the spoiled brats get away with everything. They ignore 504 plans. The counselors don't counsel, they are completely clueless when it comes to mental health. The school board is a joke. I give one star for the very small handful of actual good teachers and the vocal music department which is amazing considering what and who they have to work with. Seriously, don't send your kids here if you actually love them. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, January 22, 2019

My husband and I grew up in the Urbandale School District and now we are raising four children in this same district. We moved back here intentionally so that our children would have the same experience we had growing up. Our children have thrived in Urbanddale Schools and were able to be involved in many extra-curricular activities. My two oldest are at the top of their classes in the colleges they chose two attend. We still have two going to school here and would choose to keep them enrolled here even if we moved to a different school district. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, January 21, 2019

Urbandale High School has a top notch, beautiful, state of the art building and teachers who go above and beyond to support their students! Their support of the fine arts is extraordinary and it shows in their music programs. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Urbandale High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	925	15	15	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	955
1989	845	13	23	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	882
1990	834	9	15	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	859
1991	791	8	22	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	825
1992	856	8	21	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	891
1993	922	11	20	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	956
1994	885	13	20	1	4	n/a	n/a	0	923
1995	1004	13	27	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	1051
1996	1004	13	27	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	1051
1997	997	19	25	9	1	n/a	n/a	0	1051
1998	1075	16	19	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	1119
1999	1119	14	18	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	1157
2000	1145	15	19	13	12	n/a	n/a	0	1204
2001	1151	13	17	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	1200
2002	1129	13	21	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	1174
2003	1129	13	21	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	1174
2004	1088	34	27	19	2	n/a	n/a	0	1170
2005	1004	38	20	16	2	n/a	n/a	0	1080
2006	1034	48	20	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	1127
2007	1069	50	11	29	1	n/a	n/a	0	1160
2008	1065	57	21	33	2	n/a	n/a	0	1178
2009	1069	63	28	39	3	n/a	n/a	0	1202
2010	1031	49	31	54	6	3	28	0	1202
2011	974	67	31	60	5	2	35	0	1174
2012	976	72	36	69	3	2	35	0	1193
2013	994	78	37	80	2	2	38	0	1231
2014	996	91	43	83	1	0	46	0	1260
2015	986	89	41	89	0	0	47	0	1252
2016	985	103	43	98	0	1	53	0	1283
2017	987	102	44	100	0	3	58	0	1294
2018	973	94	53	116	2	3	60	0	1301
2019	979	86	72	110	2	2	58	0	1309
2020	985	80	74	126	2	2	57	0	1326
2021	952	67	80	136	2	1	69	0	1307
2022	928	83	80	152	2	0	67	6	1318
2023	923	83	76	185	3	0	72	5	1347
2024	856	91	78	206	4	0	74	2	1311

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 Urbandale High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	955	53.0	18.0	1.2
1989	882	5.3	166.4	0.7
1990	859	52.5	16.3	1.2
1991	825	51.0	16.1	1
1992	891	51.0	17.4	1.1
1993	956	48.6	19.7	1.4
1994	923	62.8	14.7	1.4
1995	1051	64.0	16.4	2.2
1996	1051	64.0	16.4	2.2
1997	1051	68.0	15.5	2.9
1998	1119	68.1	16.4	3.4
1999	1157	72.5	16.0	4.8
2000	1204	72.0	16.7	4.2
2001	1200	68.0	17.6	3.7
2002	1174	71.8	16.4	7.3
2003	1174	71.8	16.4	7.3
2004	1170	73.0	16.0	5
2005	1080	77.5	13.9	6.2
2006	1127	76.0	14.8	8.3
2007	1160	78.2	14.8	10
2008	1178	80.4	14.7	11.5
2009	1202	86.6	13.9	14.5
2010	1202	80.0	15.0	13.5
2011	1174	83.6	14.0	19.1
2012	1193	85.1	14.0	20.4
2013	1231	85.1	14.4	22.6
2014	1260	86.6	14.5	23.8
2015	1252	88.0	14.2	23.6
2016	1283	85.0	15.0	24.2
2017	1294	84.0	15.4	22.5
2018	1301	86.5	15.0	25.3
2019	1309	85.5	15.3	27.3
2020	1326	87.1	15.2	28.3
2021	1307	90.0	14.5	8.3
2022	1318	87.8	15.0	33.1
2023	1347	91.4	14.7	36.4
2024	1311	93.2	14.0	34.3

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 Urbandale High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	955	53.0	18.0	1.2
1989	882	5.3	166.4	0.7
1990	859	52.5	16.3	1.2
1991	825	51.0	16.1	1
1992	891	51.0	17.4	1.1
1993	956	48.6	19.7	1.4
1994	923	62.8	14.7	1.4
1995	1051	64.0	16.4	2.2
1996	1051	64.0	16.4	2.2
1997	1051	68.0	15.5	2.9
1998	1119	68.1	16.4	3.4
1999	1157	72.5	16.0	4.8
2000	1204	72.0	16.7	4.2
2001	1200	68.0	17.6	3.7
2002	1174	71.8	16.4	7.3
2003	1174	71.8	16.4	7.3
2004	1170	73.0	16.0	5
2005	1080	77.5	13.9	6.2
2006	1127	76.0	14.8	8.3
2007	1160	78.2	14.8	10
2008	1178	80.4	14.7	11.5
2009	1202	86.6	13.9	14.5
2010	1202	80.0	15.0	13.5
2011	1174	83.6	14.0	19.1
2012	1193	85.1	14.0	20.4
2013	1231	85.1	14.4	22.6
2014	1260	86.6	14.5	23.8
2015	1252	88.0	14.2	23.6
2016	1283	85.0	15.0	24.2
2017	1294	84.0	15.4	22.5
2018	1301	86.5	15.0	25.3
2019	1309	85.5	15.3	27.3
2020	1326	87.1	15.2	28.3
2021	1307	90.0	14.5	8.3
2022	1318	87.8	15.0	33.1
2023	1347	91.4	14.7	36.4
2024	1311	93.2	14.0	34.3

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 Urbandale High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$388 (3.4%)	$11,040 (96.6%)	$11,428

Data source: Iowa Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Urbandale 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 137^th of 327 High schools	Ranks 219^th of 336 High schools	23.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade English Language Arts (Urbandale High School)	79.3	66	13.3%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Urbandale Community School District)	79.3	66	13.3%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	74.3	72.9	1.4%
10th Grade Mathematics (Urbandale High School)	69.8	61.1	8.7%
10th Grade Mathematics (Urbandale Community School District)	69.8	61.1	8.7%
10th Grade Mathematics (Iowa)	67.1	67	0.1%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Urbandale High School)	75.2	69.6	5.6%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Urbandale Community School District)	75.2	69.6	5.6%
11th Grade English Language Arts (Iowa)	71.4	68.7	2.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Urbandale High School)	66.6	72.8	6.2%
11th Grade Mathematics (Urbandale Community School District)	66.6	72.8	6.2%
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	1309	1347	2.9%
African American	86	83	3.5%
American Indian	2	3	50%
Asian	72	76	5.6%
Hispanic	110	185	68.2%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	979	923	5.7%
Two or More Races	58	72	24.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	27.3%	36.4%	9%

Schools Near Urbandale 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
Urbandale High School	Public	9-12	7111 Aurora Avenue	Urbandale	50322	Polk County	Urbandale Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 457-6800	1,311	93	14.0	34.3%	856 (65.3%)	91 (6.9%)	206 (15.7%)	78 (5.9%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (5.6%)	34.3	263^rd of 338 public high schools	22.2%		43.5	219^th of 336 public high schools	34.8%	44	74.8	70.7	62.7	57.0	64.7	56.8	51.7	$11,428	$388	$11,040
Hoover High School	Public	9-12	4800 Aurora Ave	Des Moines	50310	Polk County	Des Moines Independent Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 242-7300	923	41	22.5	69.7%	174 (18.9%)	303 (32.8%)	231 (25.0%)	149 (16.1%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (6.2%)	4.8	321^st of 338 public high schools	5.0%		7.8	316^th of 336 public high schools	6.0%	5	42.2	55.6	48.3	28.8	43.1	38.9	38.1	$17,790	$689	$17,101
Walnut Creek Campus	Public	9-12	1020 8th Street	West Des Moines	50265	Polk County	West Des Moines Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 633-6480	165	14	11.7	52.1%	89 (53.9%)	26 (15.8%)	29 (17.6%)	2 (1.2%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (10.9%)	1.2	328^th of 338 public high schools	3.0%		4	325^th of 336 public high schools	3.3%	3	50.0	47.2	39.3	10.0	22.2	17.9	28.6	$18,513	$197	$18,315
Johnston Senior High School	Public	10-12	6500 NW 100th Street	Johnston	50131	Polk County	Johnston Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 278-0449	1,771	85	20.8	24.7%	1,202 (67.9%)	187 (10.6%)	143 (8.1%)	138 (7.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	90 (5.1%)	75.9	53^rd of 338 public high schools	84.3%		78.5	43^rd of 336 public high schools	87.2%	10		87.1	79.6		80.3	77.4	72.5	$11,440	$378	$11,061
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
Valley High School	Public	10-12	3650 Woodland Ave	West Des Moines	50266	Polk County	West Des Moines Community School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(515) 633-4000	2,111	123	17.1	26.7%	1,226 (58.1%)	244 (11.6%)	405 (19.2%)	110 (5.2%)	3 (0.1%)	1 (0.0%)	121 (5.7%)	46.7	212^th of 338 public high schools	37.3%		55.2	162^nd of 336 public high schools	51.8%	50		74.1	70.3		66.8	68.2	56.9	$15,551	$791	$14,760
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
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
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Urbandale High School

How many students attend Urbandale High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,311 students attended Urbandale High School.

What district is Urbandale High School in?

Urbandale Community School District

What is the racial makeup of Urbandale High School?

Students at Urbandale High School are 65% White, 16% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Asian, 6% Two or more races.

Is Urbandale High School a good school?

Urbandale High School ranks in the bottom 22.2% of Iowa high schools.

What schools feed into Urbandale High School?

Urbandale High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Karen Acres Elementary School
Elementary : Webster Elementary School
Middle : Urbandale Middle 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.