2024 Best Public High Schools in the Des Moines Area

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  450 reviews

Senior: My overall experience at Waukee High School has been excellent! I truly believe that there is so much resources provided at Waukee High School and that if you reach out your experience will be fulfilled. One part I love about my school is the amount it offers when it comes to classes. I have created a schedule every year that allows me take classes that I am interested in and feel that they will benefit me for my future plans. One of the worst parts about Waukee High School is the tolerance of teachers mistreating students. I have experienced one teacher in particular that has been called out numerous times by students and parents about their mistreatment during class and extra curricular activities. This teacher is still teaching at the school even after numerous reports throughout the years I have attended. Despite this, Waukee High School has been very good to me and I am proud to be graduating from there in the spring.... Read 450 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,154

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• West Des Moines Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  464 reviews

Alum: My high school experience is a time filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable moments. From the first day of freshman year to the last day of senior year, I navigated through classes, made lasting friendships, and discovered my passions. Whether it was participating in extracurricular activities, taking on leadership roles, or excelling academically, I embraced every opportunity that came my way. Through the ups and downs, I persevered, learned valuable life lessons, and created memories that will stay with me forever. High school has shaped me into the person I am today, and you're ready to take on the next chapter of your journey with confidence and excitement!... Read 464 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,058

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  190 reviews

Alum: I was a senior at Ankeny Centennial High School last year and just graduated in June 2023. My experience at this school was overall pretty good. I was able to build connections with teachers and other students around me and I was able to make lots of memories! ACHS has so many good impacts on the students lives, the education, memories, experiences, and the staff are all amazing and long lasting. I learned so many things at ACHS that I will continue to use throughout college and the rest of my life. Any student who goes to ACHS is lucky to be able to have a great school with amazing staff that care about them.... Read 190 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,419

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: Ankeny high school has been a great experience overall for me personally. all of the teachers and staff are very inclusive, and supportive of the students. In my classes, most of which are college level courses that can be very difficult for the average student the teachers take time to go over to each student and acknowledge they understand the material as well as allotting select times where students can come in before or after school, or during an open period. The sports are very prestigious, with many hard-working athletes and coaches. The culture and support system around the athletics is a resounding reason as to their successes. The most prominent reason as to why the Athletics and Academics at Ankeny high school are so successful is because of the unwavering culture we have here. That said it's not a perfect school, the Facilities and food could both be improved as while as the diversity of the demographic. Overall, I am proud to be graduating as an Ankeny Hawk in 2023.... Read 309 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,330

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Johnston Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  360 reviews

Senior: Overall, a good school. Amazing faculties, very privileged to have access to resources within the building. Majority of students are rich and white, not diverse or inclusive. There is a lack of community and school spirit unless you are popular. Love having the iPads and cookie days every Tuesday and Thursday. Good variety of PE/electives, english, math and science classes available to students. Very successful music program. Most teachers are accommodating and genuine. Definitely grateful for my time at the school and all I have learned from my peers, activities and teachers.... Read 360 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,792

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Van Meter Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  36 reviews

Senior: I've been going to Van Meter Jr-Sr HS since I was seven, and I've never had a significant bad experience here. The entire staff is ultimately very welcoming and nice, and I know that I can go to anyone if I'm having trouble in a class, with a person, etc. They added onto the HS side a couple years back, which was nice because now we have two gyms, two cafeterias and more classes/seating areas. But since its Kindergarten through High School, the space is often times an issue. However I think they are going to add on/re-do the entire school, but far after I graduate, which I think will be good for the community since the school has been around for a very long time. I also like that once core classes are taken, you can pretty much take whatever class you want. They are very flexible with classes and although some are challenging, they really help you get ready for college/college classes.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 283

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  109 reviews

Junior: As a student attending Dallas Center-Grimes High School I believe that it is a very good environment. The teachers are extremely helpful and have always gone out of their way to help me and my fellow peers. Academics have always been an important factor in my high school career and they will continue to be important when it comes time to start my college career. These teachers are better preparing me and my fellow peers for our college experience and I can’t thank them enough! Can’t wait to finally start my lady and final year with this amazing school district! -Jenna Bain... Read 109 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 947

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• North Polk Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  101 reviews

Senior: My experience at North Polk High School has been very fulfilling and enhancing to my life. Eve since i moved to the district, I felt right at home! The smaller, rural structure of the school makes school life less chaotic and more personal. The teachers are very motivated in their work, and coming from a student's point of view, they are continually striving to make connections with their students and build relationships that will last throughout students' entire high school career. The classrooms incite a much needed environment full of laughter and excitement which really helps students like me when it comes to over-stressing and worrying about school. North Polk has been an amazing place for me to continue my preliminary education, and has helped me as I have began to transition into my last year of high school, guiding me towards what steps I need to take and what path is the best for me!... Read 101 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 597

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Norwalk Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  217 reviews

Senior: I've enjoyed the environment that they've created and the teachers I've had throughout the years. My biggest complaint would honestly by the physical building setup, as it's 6-12 all within the same building and our community is getting a little too large for that. Plus, we're currently building a very expensive athletic complex add on to our school, while I believe the money could've been used much more proactively by just building another separate middle or high school. The people were amazing, the environment is good, but the asset allocation is questionable.... Read 217 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,015

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  59 reviews

Senior: I have gone to ADM my entire life, it’s where I have met some of the best people I know. This year ADM High School has undergone many adversities, including the loss of a student, a fire that erupted in the intermediate building, and a few other incidents. Despite everything, ADM has bounced back and changed for the better. I have no doubt that if I was ever in a time of need I could rely on my teachers and my peers. ADM High School is just like any other school, it has its challenges but it has overcome those challenges and grown.... Read 59 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 587

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Urbandale Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  208 reviews

Senior: Urbandale High School is a diversified school that provides opportunities for students to develop their interests and hobbies. The teachers gives students chances to improve and learn more about their education, and provides further support and resources to them. The school itself has a nice community and a student body, but there is some fears of safety in the facilities. The school does tries to combat this issue by having strict guidelines and having a police officer within the building. I would like to see the school upper management to give take more feedback and implement them from students. From the past 4 years, they have changed the schedule and grading system every year, yet they aren't taking feedback from the students, who are directly influenced by their decisions.... Read 208 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,318

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• West Des Moines Community School District, IA•

• 9

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B

• Students 687

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Southeast Polk Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  296 reviews

Senior: My overall experience at Southeast Polk High School has been really great. I have grown as a person through my 4 years here, I have made some really great friends, and ultimately this school and school district have helped me to grow academically and athletically to advance my education to a secondary education. The sports, academics, and social aspects of Southeast Polk High School have changed my life for the better and I can't wait to see where my growth will take me for my secondary education and see how it will also affect my life after college for the better.... Read 296 reviews

• grade B

• Students 2,278

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Bondurant-Farrar Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  150 reviews

Alum: Great school! Loved the amazing teachers and staff who taught me many good lessons and great pieces of advice. Loved the school campus not too big and not too small. I made so many great friends through high school because of the people I met and I’m glad I got to attend Bondurant. I wish I could have made so many more memories at that school but overall I loved my time there. I can’t wait to continue to watch the school district grow and watch my under class men friends continue to get closer to their graduation.... Read 150 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 721

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Indianola Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  287 reviews

Senior: I like Indianola High School, there is a good variety of classes for you to explore different interest. You also have several class options to meet graduation eligibilty. There is also a good variety of sports that you can participate in. I have been able to play in several sports. There is also a strong school spirit! Our community is very supportive of our school and it's students. I would like to see better food options in the cafeteria. I would also like to see coaches be more helpful in helping students pursue sports at a college level.... Read 287 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 1,105

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Carlisle Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  98 reviews

Senior: I have had a great time with my four years attending Carlisle High School. The teachers that I have had have all been very welcoming and encouraging to my work and endeavors. Every year I have had at least one teacher who I could open up to on a personal level and further my learning experience. Without them, I would not have achieved nearly as much as I have. The main issue that the school faces would be the lack of diversity. Although I have seen some steady growth over the years, there is still hardly any population of people of color, such as myself. On top of that, there isn't a single teacher or staff member who isn't caucasian, save for one of the janitors. This has made it harder to relate to the people around me, but it has also taught me that people don't have to look like me in order for them to welcome me into their environment.... Read 98 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 713

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Colfax-Mingo Community School District, IA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  32 reviews

Alum: I loved my high school. They were very good about taking the time they needed to make sure all students were understanding their lesson plans, even if it took more days then the initial plan did. I really appreciated that most teachers were there for more reasons than just a paycheck. You could tell they actually cared about their students and there well being just as a person. I think as a school they could maybe lesson some requirements fo graduate such as the amount of community service hours. It’s 80 hours for the whole 4 years of school. For someone like me who was involved in multiple sports, multiple activities such as choir, and worked a part time job, it was extremely hard to try and find time to do the 80 hours.... Read 32 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 332

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  176 reviews

Senior: Very many cultures and self awareness. They are very diverse and have many opportunities available to the kids. Each teacher is interested in their kids learning and involvement. They try and make you keep focus and study hard until you walk the stage. The food is pretty good, lunch is kind of sad but they have vending machines. If you work hard enough you can accomplish a lot with the resources you have around you. Each student is different but is always accepted with opened arms. No child is left behind and no child is forgotten.... Read 176 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 959

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• West Des Moines Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 2.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Junior: Walnut creek were it at. We got it bumpin here our teachers are great and actually individually help us with things we need help with unlike previous schools ive attended in this district.... Read 6 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 183

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Saydel Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  51 reviews

Junior: I love the teachers at Saydel. The new building remodel of the lunchroom and library make the building feel more open and connected. Being connected in sports or clubs is such an important part of socializing here, but I believe that that’s a good thing. I just wish we had more science classes or maybe a different language to study besides Spanish. The community is very close and welcoming.... Read 51 reviews

• grade C

• Students 433

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  262 reviews

Senior: To me East is a place where minorities come to learn, feel welcomed, and cared for by their peers, teachers, and counselors. East is an outgoing school that excepted me and provided me with the academics and help I needed to be on the path to success. I was given classes that I wanted and got to meet new students and great teachers. East is a diversified school where everyone treats each other with respect. I got to join clubs and sports that I could play with friends. There is a lot of parent involvement at east, so my parents were able to keep track of my learning. I have learned many new things at East through academics and meeting new people. Without the teachers and administrators caring about me and reminding to go to class, I would be where I am today. They have also helped me be on track for college and helped me overcome obstacles on the way.... Read 262 reviews

• grade C

• Students 2,079

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Martensdale-St. Mary's Community School District, IA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  22 reviews

Junior: Having online school for science and Spanish for 2 years was tough, but you know what? The best part was the community involvement! Even though I wasn't physically in the classroom, I still had the opportunity to connect with my classmates and teachers, collaborate on projects, and participate in online discussions. It's amazing how technology can bring us together, even when we're physically apart.... Read 22 reviews

• grade C

• Students 240

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.45 out of 5  319 reviews

Freshman: Most of the teachers are really nice and they're pretty cool about things that stricter teachers would be upset about. They give students plenty of time to get to class, especially after lunch since a lot of students go off-campus. The students aren't great but most of the students at Lincoln really care about their education and they want to graduate and go to college. I especially enjoy College & Career Readiness, which is a college-preparatory elective that I've been in since 6th grade. They have lots of opportunities for students, especially those who want to go to college. Every student at Lincoln has a choice to apply for classes at Central Campus for free, which is basically a DMPS school that offers hand-on college-like courses at no cost. If there is a fight or another event where students are in danger, the staff are quick to resolve problems and keep students safe. The only real bad thing is the food.... Read 319 reviews

• grade C

• Students 2,362

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Senior: I love how modern the school is and how great of facilities it has. I also love how the curriculum is for the students and how many different clubs, sports, and activities they have.... Read 2 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 1,325

• Student-teacher ratio 88:1

• Des Moines Independent Community School District, IA•

• K-12

• grade unavailable

• Students 116

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1