East High School (Des Moines, Iowa)

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East High School
EHSWestEntry - Des Moines, IA.jpg
Address
East High School (Des Moines, Iowa)
815 E 13th Street

Des Moines
,
Iowa
50316

United States
Coordinates 41°35′49″N93°36′00″W / 41.59694°N 93.60000°W / 41.59694; -93.60000
Information
TypePublic Secondary
MottoFor the Service of Humanity
Established1861;164 years ago (1861)
School district Des Moines Independent Community School District
SuperintendentDr. Ian Roberts
NCES School ID 190897000528 [1]
PresidentChristopher Ramirez-Chavez
PrincipalJill Versteeg
Staff94.20 (FTE) [1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,968 (2024-25) [1]
Student to teacher ratio21.66 [1]
CampusUrban
Color(s) Red and black   
Athletics conference Central Iowa Metro League
MascotEast Scarlets
Rivals Lincoln Rail Splitters
North Polar Bears
Southeast Polk Rams
Website Des Moines East

East High School, often locally referred to as East or East High, is a public secondary school located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. East is the oldest high school in the Des Moines metro and is part of the Des Moines Public Schools. East is currently the seventh largest high school in the state by enrollment with 2,076 students.

Contents

History

Creation and early history

East High was established in 1861 on the top floor of Bryant School, a primary school located at East 9th and Grand Ave. (sometimes listed as Pennsylvania Ave. and Grand Ave. - the other end of the same block) in Des Moines. [2] [3] [4]

Graduation rates in the early years were extremely low - an Elizabeth Mathews was the sole member of the very first graduating class in 1871, and there were no further high school graduates until 1875. In 1877, the high school moved to the top floor of Webster School at the corner of E. 12th and Lyon Street, where it remained until 1891. [2] [4] Rising enrollment forced the freshman class back to Bryant School in 1888. [5]

In 1891, a new and larger dedicated school building with an auditorium, cafeteria and laboratories was opened at E. 12th and Court, directly adjacent to the Iowa State Capitol grounds. [2] At inception, in addition to the high school it housed all the primary students from Bryant and Webster, as well as the offices of the Board of Education and Superintendent. It is written that the students from Bryan and Webster marched to the new facility in a snowstorm. [3] The primary students remained until 1903, when Cary School was built to house them. Originally there were about 200 students, subsequently growing to around 700. [5] One of the few available photos of this building is on the cover of the 1910 Quill yearbook. [6]

In anticipation of yet a larger school, an entire square block of land just a few blocks away from the Capitol was purchased by the East Des Moines School District in 1901 from the State of Iowa for $8,000. The current main building of East High School at E. 13th and Walker St. was constructed in 1910-1911 at a cost of $400,000 to a design by architects Bird and Rawson. A bond issue and ultimately an Iowa Supreme Court ruling were required to allow construction to go forward. Groundbreaking was done by Principal May Goodrell on September 6, 1910, who also placed the cornerstone on January 18, 1911. However, construction costs had consumed the entire budget, leaving little money for furnishings. This delayed occupancy of the building until May 17, 1912, when once again a procession of students marched from the 1891 building to the new school, bringing furnishings with them. [5]

From 1911 onward, the East High campus has never moved again, and it has remained continuously in use as a three- or four-year high school. The main building has received a number of additions, such that it is now surrounded on three sides by newer construction, leaving only the original West-facing neo-classical facade fully exposed (see infobox photo).

Mass shooting

On March 7, 2022, it was reported that a school shooting had occurred on the property, killing 15 year old Jose David Lopez and hospitalizing two female students. [7] Police said that the shots most likely came from a moving vehicle. Police said that Jose David Lopez was not a student of the school but he was the intended target of the shooting. Police had several suspects in custody just hours after the event occurred.

Campus

East High is located on East 14th Street (also known as U.S. Route 69) in Des Moines, close to Interstate 235. There is ample grass-covered recreation space, as well as parking, to the west and north of the main building. There is one annex, situated a block away from the main campus.

Main Building Complex

While the main East High is one large building, it consists of several distinct areas built at different times. Some facilities, including the cafeteria, offices, band room, and student center have been relocated more than once, and the East wing was substantially altered in the large 2006 renovation.

Walker Annex

Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, freshman classes were moved to the Walker Annex, located one block away from the main campus. Freshmen attended physical education, chorus, band, and orchestra classes on the main campus, but attended their basic science, math, English, and history courses in the Walker building. In 2012, freshman classes were switched back to the main building. The Walker Annex is now used for students with academic and attendance issues and Boys' & Girls Club.[ citation needed ]

Students

As of the 2021-2022 school year, there were 2076 students [10] enrolled at East High, making it the seventh largest public high school in Iowa. [11]

Enrollment

Including some selected historic years for which data is available.

YearTotal Seniors (12th grade) Juniors (11th grade) Sophomores (10th grade) Freshmen (9th grade)
2024-20251,968530514458466
2023-20242,013536494517476
2022-20232,040547494505494
2021-2022 [10] 2,076

509

2020-2021 [12] 2,097537482544534
2015-2016 [13] 2,307
2005-2006 [14] 2,115357419559780
2004-2005 [15] 2,125384384592765
2003-2004 [15] 1,970302438496734
2002-2003 [15] 1,841319359497666
1917-1918 [16] 1400+
1916-1917 [16] 1,306
1914-1915 [16] 1,029
1912-1913 [16] 832 (first year in new building)
1911-1912 [16] 713 (last year in 1891 building)
1910-1911 [16] 692
1907-1908 [16] 585
1905-1906 [16] 470
1900-1901 [16] 400
1895-1896 [16] 291
1890-1891 [16] 243
1885-1886 [16] 138

Curriculum

The school day is split into eight periods containing a mix of core academic subjects and electives. There are two lunches, each 45 minutes split between a first and second lunch depending on their 4th period's floor number. Students on the first or third floor have first lunch, while students on the second and fourth floor have second lunch. The school district requires that students take a number of core academic courses, if they wish to graduate and receive a diploma. This includes Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, and Physical Education, among other electives.

The amount of academic credit needed to satisfy graduation requirements is determined by the school district and the state of Iowa. Usually, it is required to have four years of English, and three years of Science, Social Science, and math. Physical Education is required each year unless under a religious exempt. The school counselors compel Freshman and Sophomore students to schedule a full day of classes, to ensure satisfaction with district graduation requirements. Seniors and juniors have the option of having an "open period" during the school day.

Advanced learners have the opportunity to attend Central Academy, with an extended rigorous curriculum, while general students can attend Central Campus, with a focus on 21st century skills and hands-on learning.

Achievements

Athletic Championships


Academics

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000003-QINU`"' "Search for Public Schools - East High School (190897000528)". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences . Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "History of East High School". Archived from the original on October 15, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2006.
  3. 1 2 Denny, Dr. Robert R. (1976). Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976. Des Moines, IA: Des Moines Independent Community School District. p. 70. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Gatti, Ruth (May 12, 1993). "Beginning of public school in D.M." Des Moines Register. Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Denny, Dr. Robert R. (1976). Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976. Des Moines, IA: Des Moines Independent Community School District. pp. 81–82. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Des Moines Public Library Yearbook Collection, East High". Des Moines Public Library. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Teenager dead, two in critical condition after shooting outside Iowa high school -police". Reuters. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "East High Through the Years". Des Moines Public Schools. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  9. ↑ "East High School, Addition and Renovation". schooldesigns.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "2021-2022 DMPS Enrollment Report". Des Moines Independent Community School District. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Largest Public High Schools in Iowa". niche.com. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  12. ↑ "School Directory Information". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  13. ↑ "East High School". highschools.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  14. ↑ Des Moines Public Schools (2013). "Enrollment Report for 2013-2014".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. 1 2 3 Des Moines Public Schools (2004). "Enrollment Report as of September 17, 2004" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2006.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Lewis, Ervin Eugene (1918). University of Iowa Extension Bulletin #37, Survey of the High Schools of Des Moines. Iowa City, IA: State University of Iowa. pp. 5–25.
  17. ↑ "Class 3A State Bowling Results". February 19, 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 "Des Moines East". Iowa High School Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  19. ↑ "State Softball Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. July 9, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  20. ↑ "All Time State Tournament Results" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. pp. 10–17. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  21. ↑ "State Softball Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. July 9, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  22. ↑ "State Softball Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. July 9, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  23. ↑ "2020 IHSAA Baseball State Tournament Stat Book" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. June 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  24. ↑ "All Time State Tournament Results" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. pp. 10–17. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  25. ↑ "2020 IHSAA Cross Country Stat Book" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. December 16, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  26. ↑ "2019-2020 Golf Stat Book" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. December 16, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  27. ↑ "2020 IHSAA Track & Field Stat Book" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. December 16, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "IAD Past State Results". iowaacdec.org. 2017.
  29. ↑ "NSDA Tabroom". Tabroom. NSDA. January 6, 2024.
  30. ↑ "All Five High Schools Qualify for State Academic Decathlon". dmschools.org. March 2, 2023.
  31. ↑ "DM East's Versteeg named IHSPA Administrator of the Year". ihspa.org. October 10, 2023.
  32. ↑ Iowa Department of Education Website: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/686/664/ Archived 2008-09-06 at the Wayback Machine .
  33. ↑ "Connie Boesen has won Des Moines mayor's race, will be the first woman to hold the office". Des Moines Register. July 11, 2023.
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