The Best School Districts in Des Moines, Iowa

The Best School Districts in Des Moines, Iowa

Exterior view of an elementary school in the Des Moines public school district

Des Moines, Iowa is a large city full of new opportunities for you and your children. The city is home to multiple school districts and colleges. You can choose from public and private schools and colleges in Des Moines, IA. No matter what you’re looking for, this city has you covered. We’re here to help you find the best school districts in the Des Moines area to fit your needs.

Public Schools in Des Moines

Des Moines and its surrounding areas are served by multiple public school districts, offering education from elementary through high school. Students have various options within the city, with two of the top public school districts highlighted below.

Des Moines Independent Community School District

The Des Moines Independent Community School District is Iowa’s largest public school district. It’s home to over 30,000 students. This district is full of countless academic and extracurricular opportunities for students.

Location

This school district is perfect if you live right in Des Moines. All the schools are in the city or the surrounding suburbs. This is ideal if you want your child to have a short commute to school.

The district has 38 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and nine high schools in the Des Moines area. This gives your family multiple options for schools your child can attend. It also guarantees a school near your residence in Des Moines.

Academics

The Des Moines Independent Community School District has an average academic standing. On state testing, a little less than 50% of students score at or above proficiency in reading and math. High school students also score well on the ACT and SAT. Their average ACT score is 23 and their average SAT score is 1180. Both these scores are right near the state average.

The district is also well known for having students graduate with college credit. This is due to how many AP classes they offer for students to take. These classes help students get a jump start on their college education at a much cheaper cost. It also helps ensure they graduate college with at least a bachelor’s in 4 years or less.

Unique Feature

This large school district has 181 different extracurricular programs for students to choose from. There are youth, middle school, and high school programs. There is a mix of fine arts, sports, and academic programs. Here’s a list of some popular options students can choose from.

  • Band, Orchestra, and Choir
  • Debate and Speech
  • Academic Decathlon
  • Jr. ROTC
  • Fall, Winter, and Spring Sports
  • Youth Sport Camps

West Des Moines Community School District

The West Des Moines Community School District has just under 10,000 students. This makes it one of the smaller school districts in the Des Moines area.

Looking to move soon?

Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!

Location

This district is in the western section of Des Moines. Since it’s on the outskirts of the town, it’s perfect for people who live in Des Moines and the surrounding suburbs.

The district has 13 different schools. They have eight elementary schools, two junior high schools, and three high schools in West Des Moines. While this district is fairly small, you still have options.

Academics

The West Des Moines Community School District has above-average academic standings. 71% of students score at or above proficiency levels on reading during state testing. Additionally, 66% of students score at or above proficiency on the math portion.

High school students also do well on the ACT and SAT. The district’s average ACT score is 26 and SAT score is 1360. Both scores are above the state average.

The district also offers AP classes for high schoolers to take. They offer AP courses in core classes such as math, language arts, sciences, and social studies. This allows students to gain college credits while still meeting their high school graduation requirements.

Unique Feature

Freshman volleyball team at Valley Southwoods Freshman School

One of the high schools within this district is for freshmen only. Valley Southwoods Freshman High School is designed to help the transition to high school go smoothly. It gives students the feeling of being in high school without the chaos of being surrounded by older students.

Students here are taught key values such as thoughtfulness, integrity, grit, empathy, and respect. Besides regular classes, they have chances to start joining more afterschool activities. They can join multiple different clubs, fine arts, and sports.

Private Schools in Des Moines

Des Moines offers many private school options, primarily for pre-K, elementary, and middle school students. However, two schools provide education from pre-K through high school.

Grandview Christian School

Grandview Christian School is a private school in Des Moines. This district has been serving the Des Moines area for 50 years. 925 students are enrolled within this private school district.  

Location

This private school district has two different campus locations within Des Moines. The first campus in Des Moines is for pre-school and elementary school students. This includes students from pre-k to 5th grade. The second campus houses the middle school and high school.

Both campuses are composed of multiple buildings, some of which are connected. They also have plenty of outdoor areas for students to play and hang out in on nice days.

Academics

Grandview Christian School does a good job of preparing students to further their education. 95% of graduates end up going to college after graduation. This gives the school “college prep status.” This status is given to schools where 80% of graduates attend college after high school. High school students also have an average ACT score of 26, which is above the state average.

High school students are also highly encouraged to take honor and AP classes. Honor classes are more difficult and help prepare students for college-level courses. AP classes are college-level courses that allow students to gain college credits while in high school.    

Tuition

Grandview Christian School does not publicly state its tuition on its website. According to Niche, tuition for the highest grade offered is $8,450 per year. However, this figure varies depending on what grade your child is in. You can contact the school district to get an accurate tuition estimate as you’re registering your child.

Unique Feature

Grandview Christian School has many extracurricular activities students can join. Some of the most popular programs are their vocal music programs.  These programs are offered to middle school and high school students. While not required, students can join or be selected for these vocal programs to showcase their talents.

Here are some of the vocal programs they offer.

  • Middle School and High School Choir
  • Opus Honor Choir
  • Middle School Chapel Worship Team
  • Chapel Worship Team
  • Regeneration Choir
  • Hope Choir
  • All-State Choir    

Des Moines Christian School

Des Moines Christian School is a private school in a suburb of Des Moines. More than 1,300 students are currently enrolled in the school.

Location

The campus is in Urbandale, which is a suburb of Des Moines. While not directly in town, it’s 15 minutes away from the heart of the city.

The campus is built on 26 acres of land with the elementary, middle, and high schools all on one campus. Additionally, the campus has plenty of green space with two playgrounds, a softball and baseball field, and an athletic complex.

Academics

The Des Moines Christian School does an amazing job of preparing its students for their future. 90% of graduates end up attending college after graduation. High school students also score above the state average on the ACT with an average score of 27.

Students are prepared for college and are even given a jump start at earning college credits. The school offers both dual-enrollment and AP classes for high school students.

Tuition

As a private school, the Des Moines Christian School charges annual tuition which changes per grade level. Here are the yearly tuition fees by student grade.

  • 3-Year-Old Preschool- $2,600
  • 4-Year-Old Prekindergarten- $3,054
  • 4/5-Year-Old Junior Kindergarten- $4,551
  • Elementary (Kindergarten-5th grade)- $10,978
  • Middle School (6th – 8th grade)- $12,512
  • High School (9th – 12th grade)- $13,002

The district also has some additional fees besides tuition. These fees can include enrollment fees, activities fees, athletic fees, and more.

Unique Feature

Preschool students at Des Moines Christian School

The Des Moines Christian School offers many different options for preschool and childcare. They offer full-day and half-day programs for kids ages two to four.

Here are the full-day programs they offer. All these programs are offered from 7 am until 5:30 pm.

  • 2-Year-Old Childcare and Preschool
  • 3-Year-Old Childcare and Preschool
  • 4/5-Year-Old Childcare and Preschool

Here are the half-day programs the school district offers.

  • 3-Year-Old Preschool: 8:15 am until 10:45 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • 4-Year-Old Pre-Kindergarten: 8:15 am until 11:15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays
  • 4/5-Year-Old Junior Kindergarten: 12:15 pm until 3:15 pm on Monday through Friday

Colleges in Des Moines

Des Moines, IA is also home to multiple colleges with both public and private universities. You can also choose between a community college or a 4-year university. No matter what you’re looking for, Des Moines has a college option that’s right for you.

Drake University

Drake University is a 4-year private college in Des Moines, IA. The university has more than 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,900 graduate students. The average tuition for undergraduate students is a little over $25,000 per semester. However, 100% of full-time first-year students receive a presidential scholarship.

They have over 130 different programs of study for you to choose from. All undergraduate, graduate, online, and transfer students have many choices for their minors, majors, and certificates. Drake is very well known for their high-quality education and is recognized as one of the finest universities for experimental learning.

DMACC Urban Campus

DMACC Urban Campus is a 2-year public community college in Des Moines, IA. Over 15,000 students are enrolled in classes at DMACC. The college offers over 200 degrees, diplomas, and certificates for you to choose from.

Even though they’re a community college, DMACC still offers plenty of college-life opportunities. They have nine different men’s and women’s sporting teams. But if sports aren’t your thing, they also have 12 clubs and organizations for you to check out or join.

Grandview University

Grandview University is a 4-year private college in Des Moines, IA. They have over 35 undergraduate majors, 10 graduate programs, and over 20 online programs. Almost 2,000 students are proud to call themselves Grandview Vikings each year.

The campus is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. You can be a part of their student ministry services. Additionally, they’re well-known for their friendly campus life. They have everything from clubs to sporting teams to fine arts. No matter what type of college experience you’re looking for, Grandview is the place for you.

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Mercy College of Health Sciences outdoor sign

Mercy College of Health Sciences is another 4-year private college in Des Moines, IA. Their enrollment rate each year is a little less than 1,000 students. This college is meant for students pursuing careers in the healthcare field.

They’re known for excellent hands-on learning and flexible schedules. Students are also put into clinical rotations in top-notch medical facilities the school partners with. They offer associate degrees, bachelor’s, master’s, and program certificates. This college is perfect for future healthcare professionals.

Moving to Des Moines, Iowa

Moving to a town as large as Des Moines can be extremely stressful. Your to-do list may seem to be a mile long! But by booking a reliable moving company you’ll be on your way to a successful move. UniMovers is a labor-only moving company meaning we do all the heavy lifting, saving you 30-50% of the cost of hiring a traditional moving company. Our services include packing and unpacking, assembly and disassembly, furniture moving, and heavy item moving.

Conclusion

Moving to Des Moines, Iowa is an amazing way to further your education. Des Moines, IA is filled with different public and private schools and colleges.

The Des Moines Independent Community School District and West Des Moines Community School District are perfect for those who live right in town. These public schools offer your child countless opportunities both academically and within extracurricular activities.

Grandview Christian School and Des Moines Christian School allow your child to focus both on academics and their faith. They will learn values to help them succeed in their future academic endeavors.

Des Moines is also home to four amazing colleges. The town has a mix of private and public universities for you to choose from. No matter what type of degree you’re looking to receive, there is an option for you.

Des Moines, Iowa will provide you with countless educational opportunities. There truly is an option available for everyone.

+ posts

Jessica is a students at the University of Northern Iowa. She is majoring in English Education with a creative writing minor. In her free time she loves to read books of every genre, write short stories, and spend time with friends. In the future she hopes to share her love for reading and writing with her future students.