East High School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

2,040 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

East High School, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is a historic institution that serves as a central hub for its surrounding community. As part of the Des Moines Public Schools district, the school is known for its deep-rooted traditions and a diverse student body, reflecting the cultural makeup of the city. East High is particularly famous for its iconic "Scarlet" identity and its strong emphasis on school spirit, which is often showcased through its long-standing athletic programs and active student organizations.

Beyond its traditions, the school provides a comprehensive academic curriculum aimed at preparing students for post-secondary success. It offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including arts, vocational programs, and competitive sports, which help foster a well-rounded educational environment. The school’s location on the city’s east side makes it a prominent landmark, and it continues to play a significant role in the local community by prioritizing student engagement and academic growth within a supportive, diverse setting.

2,040

Total Students

94.2

Full-Time Teachers

21.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

75.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for East High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	523
Hispanic	928
Black	323
Asian	135
Two or More	115
American Indian	12
Pacific Islander	3

Hispanic
928 (45.5 %)
White
523 (25.6 %)
Black
323 (15.8 %)
Asian
135 (6.6 %)
Two or More
115 (5.6 %)
American Indian
12 (0.6 %)
Pacific Islander
3 (0.1 %)

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)242-7788
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	2,040
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	94.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	21.7
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	1,314
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	216

* 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 9 511

Grade 10 519

Grade 11 519

Grade 12 491