For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 9,870 students in Des Moines, IA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Des Moines, IA are Roosevelt High School, Virtual Campus and Hoover High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines, IA public high schools 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). High schools in Des Moines have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public high schools.
Des Moines, IA public high school 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 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Des Moines, IA (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 | 2,039 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Virtual Campus
(Math: 37% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-8502
Gr: 9-12 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
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 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #44.
Saydel High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5601 Ne 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 262-9325
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 262-9325
Gr: 9-12 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
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 | 2,441 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #66.
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 | 2,014 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #77.
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 | 1,514 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #88.
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 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Des Moines, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Gr: 6-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 32%
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Gr: PK | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 7-12 | 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 6-8
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Gr: 7-9 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Gr: PK-K | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Gr: K-5 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 70%
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Gr: 6-8 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 53%
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Gr: 6-12 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Gr: PK-5 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Gr: K-5 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Gr: PK-5 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Gr: 4-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Gr: K-5 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Orchard Place School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Gr: K-12 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 697-5737
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Gr: 6-12 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Gr: 9-12
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Gr: PK-8 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Gr: PK-5 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Gr: PK-K | 18 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Des Moines, IA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Des Moines, IA include Roosevelt High School, Virtual Campus and Hoover High School.
How many public high schools are located in Des Moines?
8 public high schools are located in Des Moines.
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines?
Des Moines public high schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Des Moines are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Des Moines include: Lincoln High School vs. East High School, Hoover High School vs. North High School, North High School vs. Hoover High School