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
87%
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
67
Full Time Teachers
67
Teachers in First or Second Year
10%
College Prep
Average SAT
1300
Math
630
Verbal
670
Average ACT
26
Math
24
English
26
Reading
28
Science
26
Number of AP Courses
15
AP Pass Rate
43%
AP Math Enrollment
Average
AP Science Enrollment
Very High
Other AP Enrollment
Very Low
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Average
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%
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
455 Students
Drake University
239 Students
University of Northern Iowa
160 Students
Des Moines Area Community College
154 Students
Grand View University
103 Students
Central College
84 Students
Simpson College
76 Students
University of Chicago
62 Students
Creighton University
53 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Psychology
116 Students
Business
105 Students
Biology
92 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
60 Students
Nursing
58 Students
Political Science and Government
58 Students
Pre-Law Studies
51 Students
Computer Science
46 Students
Journalism
45 Students
Chemistry
43 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
3/29/2025
Roosevelt high school has given me the best experience I could possibly ask for. I love going to every activity and sporting event. I have made so many friends. I look forward to coming to school every day. The culture can't be matched, nor can the amount of opportunities available for students, or the care given by teachers. I go to school everyday knowing I have been set up for success, and that I have several people in every class who truly care about me.
9/2/2024
I've had an overall positive experience at Roosevelt High School. The administration and teachers are wonderful and have helped me a lot over my educational career. The culture around clubs and sports is lively and welcoming and you're almost guaranteed to find something you like.
7/16/2024
I enjoyed my high school experience but maybe I had slightly less involvement than most. I had very supportive teachers and classmates. We did have fights in the hallways occasionally but I never felt unsafe in my school.
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.
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Map
Attendance Zone
List Price Range
$177K - $645K
Homes For Sale
11
Average Home Value
$296,840
Median Lot Size
7,405 Sq Ft
% Renters
22%
Average Household Income
$111,574
% of College Grads
58.9%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
1,482 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
38.5%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
-
$1,310 - $2,640 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
Roosevelt High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Des Moines, IA and is served by the Des Moines Independent Community School District in Iowa. The school has a total enrollment of 2,064 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 30:1. Academic records show that 53% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 69% are proficient in reading. Roosevelt High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B and a GreatSchools Rating of 4 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.53, the graduation rate is 87%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1300 and an ACT score of 26. The average home value in this area is $296,840. Discover additional schools in the area, like Virtual Campus, Central Campus - Main, Ruby Van Meter, and more. Learn more about what Des Moines has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Roosevelt High School.