Top Rankings
Des Moines Independent Comm School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Iowa for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 9,182 students in Des Moines Independent Comm School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Iowa.
Public High Schools in Des Moines Independent Comm School District have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Public High School in Des Moines Independent Comm School District have a Graduation Rate of 73%, which is less than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Roosevelt High School, with 87% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IA)
# Schools
59 Schools
365 Schools
# Students
29,676 Students
169,146 Students
# Teachers
1,894 Teachers
11,046 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Des Moines Independent Comm School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 school districts in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 73% has decreased from 81% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#325 out of 327 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
68%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
70%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
63%
Graduation Rate
73%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.75
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
8%
2%
% Hispanic
32%
13%
% Black
22%
7%
% White
31%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $19,894 is higher than the state median of $16,592. The school district revenue/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $17,302 is higher than the state median of $16,163. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$590 MM
$8,262 MM
Spending
$513 MM
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,894
$16,592
Spending / Student
$17,302
$16,163
Best Des Moines Independent Comm School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Roosevelt High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4419 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7272
Gr: 9-12 | 2,051 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #22.
Hoover High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4800 Aurora Ave
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-7300
Gr: 9-12 | 898 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #33.
Lincoln High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,364 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #44.
East High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
815 E 13th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7788
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7788
Gr: 9-12 | 1,952 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #55.
North High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
501 Holcomb Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-7200
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,428 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #66.
Ruby Van Meter
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Gr: K-12 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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