Best public high schools in the Des Moines metro area

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May 14, 2025
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Best public high schools in the Des Moines metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in the Des Moines metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

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#25. Saydel High School

- Location: Saydel Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 451 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C

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#24. Martensdale-St. Marys Junior/Senior High School

- Location: Martensdale-St. Mary's Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 275 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C

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#23. East High School

- Location: Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 2,040 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C

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#22. Walnut Creek Campus

- Location: West Des Moines Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 183 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C+

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#21. Hoover High School

- Location: Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 991 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C+

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#20. North High School

- Location: Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,458 (22:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C+

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#19. Colfax-Mingo High School

- Location: Colfax-Mingo Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 333 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: C+

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#18. Carlisle High School

- Location: Carlisle Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 743 (21:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B-

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#17. Indianola High School

- Location: Indianola Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,120 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B-

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#16. Bondurant-Farrar High School

- Location: Bondurant-Farrar Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 761 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B-

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#15. Roosevelt High School

- Location: Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,986 (30:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#14. Southeast Polk High School

- Location: Southeast Polk Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 2,353 (19:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#13. Urbandale High School

- Location: Urbandale Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,347 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#12. Norwalk Senior High School

- Location: Norwalk Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,035 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#11. ADM Senior High School

- Location: Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 651 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#10. Valley Southwoods Freshman High School

- Location: West Des Moines Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 687 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B

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#9. Northwest High School

- Location: Waukee Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,427 (not available student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#8. North Polk High School

- Location: North Polk Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 647 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: B+

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#7. Dallas Center - Grimes High School

- Location: Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 978 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#6. Van Meter Junior/Senior High School

- Location: Van Meter Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 292 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#5. Johnston Senior High School

- Location: Johnston Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,790 (20:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#4. Waukee Senior High School

- Location: Waukee Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,268 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A-

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#3. Valley High School

- Location: West Des Moines Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 2,058 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A

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#2. Ankeny Centennial High School

- Location: Ankeny Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,443 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A

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#1. Ankeny High School

- Location: Ankeny Community School District, IA
- Enrollment: 1,347 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: A

This story features data reporting by Rob Powell and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 97 metros.

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