Theodore Roosevelt High School opened in 1923 and is located just north of I-235 in the Waveland Park neighborhood. The high school is home to more than 2,000 students in grades nine through 12 and 68 full-time staff. Roosevelt High is one of five high schools in the Des Moines Public School District and is known as one of the most diverse high schools in the state of Iowa. It is also notable for its historic architecture, which has seen renovation and technological upgrades in recent years.
The Roosevelt Riders belong to the Central Iowa Metro League (CIML) and participate in 35 different sports seasons throughout the year. They have had a history of success, winning state championships in tennis, cross country, swimming and gymnastics, to name a few.
The school has a host of other activities available for students, including band, choir, dance and theater, along with 16 other unique clubs.
Roosevelt is known as a place of inclusivity, welcoming different backgrounds, lifestyles, beliefs and viewpoints. Students in the district speak more than 30 different languages.
Named for US President Theodore Roosevelt, the school is focused on educating tomorrow’s leaders.
Roosevelt High School
Public High School
|
Grade 9-12
4419 Center St,
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines Independent Community School District
School Details
Student Teacher Ratio
30:1
Average SAT Score
1300
Average ACT Score
26
Math Proficiency
53%
Reading Proficiency
69%
Average GPA
3.53
Graduation Rate
83%
Niche Grade
B-
B
B+
C
D-
C
B+
C
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.53
Reading Proficiency
69%
Math Proficiency
53%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
30:1
Teachers
66
Full Time Teachers
66
Teachers in First or Second Year
10%
College Prep
Average SAT
1300
Math
630
Verbal
660
Average ACT
26
Math
24
English
26
Reading
28
Science
26
Number of AP Courses
11
AP Pass Rate
43%
AP Math Enrollment
High
AP Science Enrollment
Average
Other AP Enrollment
Very High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Average
Boys Athletic Participation
High
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
55.9%
Science
43.5%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
366:1
Student Diversity
Male
50.7%
Female
49.2%
White
46.6%
Black
24.3%
Hispanic
17%
Two or more races
8.3%
Asian or Pacific Islander
3%
Native American
<1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Interested in learning more about homes nearby? Reach out to Kris Barrientos, an experienced agent in this school's attendance zone.
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of Iowa
479 Students
Iowa State University
452 Students
Drake University
225 Students
University of Northern Iowa
170 Students
Des Moines Area Community College
150 Students
Grand View University
108 Students
Central College
88 Students
Simpson College
76 Students
University of Chicago
58 Students
Washington University in St. Louis
55 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Psychology
115 Students
Business
104 Students
Biology
93 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
65 Students
Political Science and Government
57 Students
Nursing
52 Students
Pre-Law Studies
45 Students
Journalism
44 Students
Computer Science
43 Students
Chemistry
41 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
4/29/2024
this is my second year at Roosevelt and it is definitely declining in quality. You have to show your school id to get into school, but the administrators don't check half the time.. i wouldn't be surprised if a grown man snuck in. Bathrooms are nasty and smell terrible. Sometimes almost all of them are locked to prevent smoking. Theres also a family of birds living in the commons. Plenty of great teachers though.
1/29/2024
I like the students I have met. Many nice and good people. The teachers are very helpful when you ask for it. They all seem to want the students to graduate, and are always happy to help people improve their grade.
1/1/2023
I like community of Roosevelt, and how many activities, events, and clubs are provided. I think student involvement could be improved.
GreatSchools Reviews
7/12/2024
Roosevelt is an excellent Public high school. One of the best in Des Moines for many generations for our family.
2/28/2023
I think the results speak for themselves. Roosevelt USED to be a good school, it is now consistently under-performing. Too much focus on woke and unimportant issues and not enough on providing children with a solid education and discipline. I have no idea how the current principal got the position,...
5/9/2020
Very good. My kids learned a lot and became great respectful leaders
10/17/2017
I would rate my school experience at that school excellent because a lot of the students there cared about each other and in helping each other learn without being mean to each other.
Agents Specializing in Attendance Zone
-
Kris Barrientos
Kris Barrientos
Hunziker & Associates, Inc.
(515) 686-6539
41 Total Sales
2 in Attendance Zone
$281K - $283K Price Range
-
Andrew Bruellman
Andrew Bruellman
RE/MAX Concepts
(515) 575-2183
234 Total Sales
7 in Attendance Zone
$100K - $256K Price Range
-
Austin Woods
Austin Woods
Responds QuicklyEXP Realty, LLC
(563) 214-0283
63 Total Sales
1 in Attendance Zone
$199,900 Price
-
Tyler Weyers
Tyler Weyers
Century 21 Signature
(641) 347-3130
70 Total Sales
2 in Attendance Zone
$215K - $575K Price Range
-
Kyle Van Winkle
Kyle Van Winkle
RE/MAX Concepts-Ames
(515) 715-4952
235 Total Sales
1 in Attendance Zone
$325,000 Price
-
Angela Glasgow
Angela Glasgow
Responds QuicklyRealty ONE Group Impact
(515) 461-7972
78 Total Sales
9 in Attendance Zone
$146K - $933K Price Range
Map
Attendance Zone
About Waveland Park
List Price Range
$153K - $2.6M
Homes For Sale
3
Average Home Value
$290,052
Median Lot Size
7,405 Sq Ft
% Renters
22%
Household Income
$111,574
% of College Grads
58.9%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
1,482 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
38.9%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
-
$1,323 - $2,753 per month
- The Meridian
- Studio - 2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 547+ Sq Ft
- 425 SW 11th St
- Des Moines, IA
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
Parks in this Area
Witmer Park
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
McCollum-Waveland Tennis Complex
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
- Pickleball
Colby Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Tennis
- Trails
Tower Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Riley Park
- Grills
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Franklin Park
- Picnic Area
- Multi-Purpose Field
Lions Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Waveland Woods
A secluded piece of suburbia 5 miles west of downtown Des Moines
Beaverdale
Distinctive brick homes and community characterize this historic Des Moines area
Drake
College town about 3 miles outside of Downtown Des Moines
Ingersoll Park
Quiet streets and lively neighborhood block parties near Downtown Des Moines.
Merle Hay
Merle Hay Mall is in this neighborhood only a few miles from Downtown Des Moines
North of Grand
A historic neighborhood less than 3 miles from downtown Des Moines