- Enrollment
- 2,364
- Students per teacher
- 26.3:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Des Moines, IA
North High School
Federal NCES profile for North High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 28/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 190897000566
👥 S:T ratio 14
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 29
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
North High School earns 28/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 95% of Iowa schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Iowa.
- #6 of 6
- high schools in Des Moines · Resource Index
- 28
- Resource Index · Lower
- 21.6:1
- large classes for Iowa
- 78.6%
- free-lunch eligible
North High School has class sizes larger than 95% of Iowa schools. Computed live against every Iowa school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, North High School ranks #6 of 6 high schools in Des Moines, IA.
School address
District: Des Moines Independent Comm School District · Iowa
NCES ID 190897000566 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+56 students YoY
North High School held near 1,514 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+56 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 66.0 → 68.1 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+56 students YoY 190897000566 · Des Moines, IA High · MID · TRAD
1,428 enr · 21.6:1 · 78.6% lunch · RII 28
Nearest enrollment peer: Lincoln High School (2,364 students)
North High School held near 1,514 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+56 headcount). Teacher FTE added 66.0 → 68.1 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Iowa schools → · Find another →
North High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Lincoln High S
Lincoln High School
2,364 students
- Roosevelt High
Roosevelt High School
2,051 students
- East High Scho
East High School
1,952 students
- This school
North High School
1,428 students
- Hoover High Sc 898
Hoover High School
898 students
- Weeks Middle S 688
Weeks Middle School
688 students
What this shows North High School reports 1,428 students on the CCD universe file.
How North High School compares
North High School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Iowa and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Iowa | Iowa avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 21.6:1 | ▲ 46% | 14.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 78.6% | ▲ 116% | 36.4% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,428 | top 2% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.6:1
Leaner classes than 11% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
1,428
Bigger than 96% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
78.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 116% above the Iowa average of 36.4%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
21.6:1
students per teacher
- 46% above state mean
Top 95% in Iowa - lower ratio than 5% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
65.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,286
per pupil, district-wide
- above Iowa avg of $13,441
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors4.0 FTE
Per 357 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
19
in-school suspensions + 105 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.3 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 8.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 38.7%
African American 23.9%
White 19.5%
Asian 10.9%
Two or More 5.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 38.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 74.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 74.0, North High School is more mixed than the Iowa school average of 33.8.
Programs
AP program Not offered
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Des Moines Independent Comm School District reports $15,286 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How North High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Roosevelt High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| East High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Hoover High School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Weeks Middle School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to North High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,051
- Students per teacher
- 31.1:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,952
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 898
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 688
- Students per teacher
- 18.1:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Similar high schools in Des Moines
5 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Lincoln High School
Standard public school
2,364 students 26.3:1 students per teacher
Roosevelt High School
Standard public school
2,051 students 31.1:1 students per teacher
East High School
Standard public school
1,952 students 20.8:1 students per teacher
Hoover High School
Standard public school
898 students 19.5:1 students per teacher
Saydel High School
Standard public school
458 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~1,428 students)
Frequently asked questions about North High School
How many students attend North High School?
North High School has 1,428 students enrolled. It is a high school in Des Moines, IA. CCD year-over-year: 1,458 (2022-23) → 1,514 (2023-24), nearly flat (+56).
What is the student-teacher ratio at North High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North High School is 21.6:1, which is 46% higher than the Iowa average of 14.8:1 and 38% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at North High School?
78.6% of students at North High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Iowa average of 36.4%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of North High School?
The largest demographic group at North High School is Hispanic or Latino at 38.7% of enrollment, in Des Moines, IA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 74.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for North High School?
North High School has a Resource Investment Index of 28/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does North High School rank among high schools in Des Moines?
By Resource Investment Index, North High School ranks #6 of 6 high schools in Des Moines, IA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Des Moines on the city page.
What other schools are in Des Moines Independent Comm School District?
Besides North High School, Des Moines Independent Comm School District also operates Lincoln High School (2,364 students), Roosevelt High School (2,051 students), and East High School (1,952 students). See the Des Moines Independent Comm School District district page for the complete list.