North High School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

1,428 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

North High School, located at 501 Holcomb Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, is a historic institution serving the north side of the Des Moines Independent Community School District. Known for its distinct architectural presence, the school has long been a centerpiece of its neighborhood, fostering a strong sense of community pride and tradition. It serves a diverse student population, offering a wide array of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and athletic opportunities designed to prepare students for post-secondary success.

Beyond its academic curriculum, North High School is recognized for its commitment to student engagement and school spirit, often referred to by the mascot, the Polar Bears. The school provides various support services, career-technical education pathways, and clubs that cater to a range of interests, helping students build essential skills in leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking. As a vital part of the Des Moines public school system, North High continues to prioritize inclusivity and academic growth, striving to meet the evolving needs of its students within the urban landscape of Iowa’s capital.

1,428

Total Students

66.5

Full-Time Teachers

21.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

84.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for North High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	278
Hispanic	553
Black	342
Asian	155
Two or More	84
American Indian	12
Pacific Islander	4

Hispanic
553 (38.7%)
Black
342 (23.9%)
White
278 (19.5%)
Asian
155 (10.9%)
Two or More
84 (5.9%)
American Indian
12 (0.8%)
Pacific Islander
4 (0.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Phone:	(515)242-7200
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	1,428
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	66.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	21.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	1,050
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	149

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 324

Grade 10 352

Grade 11 336

Grade 12 416