North High School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

1,458 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.

1,458

Total Students

66.0

Full-Time Teachers

22.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

82.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for North High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	285
Hispanic	527
Black	374
Asian	166
Two or More	92
American Indian	10
Pacific Islander	3

Hispanic
527 (36.2 %)
Black
374 (25.7 %)
White
285 (19.6 %)
Asian
166 (11.4 %)
Two or More
92 (6.3 %)
American Indian
10 (0.7 %)
Pacific Islander
3 (0.2 %)

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:	1,458
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	66.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	22.1
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 9 355

Grade 10 365

Grade 11 352

Grade 12 386