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Des Moines School District Guide

Compare school districts across the Des Moines metro by ratings, programs, and boundaries to find the best fit for your family.

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Des Moines Area School Districts

Overview of major school districts serving the Des Moines metro area.

Top Rated

Waukee Community Schools

★★★★★9/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 13,000+ Students
🏫 2 High Schools
🎯 93%+ Graduation
📈 Fast Growing

Iowa's fastest-growing and highest-rated district. Modern facilities, extensive AP/dual enrollment, and strong STEM programs.

AP CoursesDual EnrollmentSTEMAthletics
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Family Favorite

Ankeny Community Schools

★★★★★9/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 12,000+ Students
🏫 2 High Schools
🎯 93%+ Graduation
🏆 Award-Winning

Consistently ranked among Iowa's best. Strong academics, championship athletics, and excellent facilities.

AP CoursesDual EnrollmentAthleticsFine Arts
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Modern Suburban

Johnston Community Schools

★★★★★9/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 7,500+ Students
🏫 1 High School
🎯 94%+ Graduation
🔬 STEM Focus

Excellent academics with strong STEM programs and modern facilities. Terra Park lifestyle and active school communities.

AP CoursesSTEMDual EnrollmentActivities
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Premium Academics

West Des Moines Schools

★★★★★9/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 9,000+ Students
🏫 Valley High School
🎯 93%+ Graduation
🎭 Strong Arts

Well-rounded district with strong academics, diverse programs, and excellent extracurriculars. Serves West Des Moines and Clive.

AP CoursesArtsAthleticsDual Enrollment
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Central Location

Urbandale Community Schools

★★★★8.5/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 4,000+ Students
🏫 1 High School
🎯 90%+ Graduation
📍 Convenient

Smaller district with close-knit community feel. Central location provides 10-minute access to anywhere.

AP CoursesActivitiesDual Enrollment
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Best Value

Southeast Polk Schools

★★★★8/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 7,000+ Students
🏫 1 High School
🎯 93%+ Graduation
💰 Affordable

Serves Pleasant Hill and Altoona. Strong academics at more affordable home prices — save $50-100K vs. west side.

AP CoursesCTEAthletics
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Rising Star

Dallas Center-Grimes

★★★★8.5/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 4,000+ Students
🏫 1 High School
🎯 92%+ Graduation
📈 Improving

Serves Grimes and Dallas Center. Rapidly improving district with new facilities and growing programs.

AP CoursesActivitiesGrowing Programs
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Growth Star

Norwalk Community Schools

★★★★8-9/10 Rating
👨‍🎓 3,500+ Students
🏫 1 High School
🎯 92%+ Graduation
📈 Fast Growing

South side's growth star with dramatically improved academics. New facilities and expanding programs.

AP CoursesAthleticsActivities
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Side-by-Side Comparison

Quick-scan all districts by key metrics to find your best match.

DistrictRatingEnrollmentGrad RateKey ProgramsHome PriceBest For
Waukee CSD★★★★★ 9/1013,000+93%+STEM, AP, Athletics$375KGrowth-focused families
Ankeny CSD★★★★★ 9/1012,000+93%+AP, Athletics, Arts$340KFamily lifestyle
Johnston CSD★★★★★ 9/107,500+94%+STEM, AP, Activities$325KSuburban families
West Des Moines★★★★★ 9/109,000+93%+Arts, AP, Athletics$350K-$400KBalance seekers
Urbandale CSD★★★★ 8.5/104,000+90%+AP, Activities$300KConvenience focused
Southeast Polk★★★★ 8/107,000+93%+AP, CTE, Athletics$280K-$285KValue seekers
Dallas Center-Grimes★★★★ 8.5/104,000+92%+AP, Activities$295KNew construction buyers
Norwalk CSD★★★★ 8-9/103,500+92%+AP, Athletics$290KSouth side families

Programs That Matter

Match programs to your child's interests.

📚

Advanced Academics

  • AP and dual credit courses
  • Gifted and talented programs
  • IB programs (select districts)

Best for: College-bound, highly academic students

🔧

Career & Technical (CTE)

  • Career academies and pathways
  • Work-based learning
  • Trade and technical skills

Best for: Hands-on learners, career-focused students

🎨

Arts & Music

  • Band, choir, orchestra
  • Theater and performance
  • Visual arts programs

Best for: Creative, artistically inclined students

🔬

STEM & Innovation

  • Robotics and coding
  • STEM labs and projects
  • Science competitions

Best for: Tech-focused, problem-solving students

How to Choose the Right District

  1. 1 Identify priorities: Academics, arts, athletics, special programs, class size — what matters most?
  2. 2 Look at trends: Review ratings over several years, not just one score.
  3. 3 Match programs: Find districts with programs that fit your child's interests and needs.
  4. 4 Verify boundaries: Confirm which schools serve specific addresses using official district tools.
  5. 5 Balance factors: Consider schools alongside commute, budget, neighborhood feel, and long-term plans.
  6. 6 Visit schools: Tour facilities and talk to families for real-world perspective.

Understanding District Boundaries

District boundaries determine which schools your child will attend. Always verify before buying.

  • Use each district's official address lookup tool
  • Review Iowa Department of Education district maps
  • Watch for public discussions about boundary changes
  • Don't rely solely on third-party real estate sites
Iowa Dept of Education →

School District FAQs

What are the best school districts in Des Moines?
Top-rated districts (9/10) include Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, and West Des Moines. All have 93%+ graduation rates and strong AP/dual enrollment programs.
How do school districts affect home prices?
School quality significantly impacts home values. Homes in top-rated districts typically sell for $50,000-$100,000 more than comparable homes in lower-rated areas.
How do I find which district serves an address?
Use the Iowa Department of Education maps or contact the district directly. Always verify with official sources — don't rely solely on third-party real estate sites.
What if my child needs specific programs or support?
Review each district's special education, gifted services, language programs, and support resources. Sometimes the best fit is a district with strong support services even if its rating is slightly lower.

Let Me Help You Match Schools & Neighborhoods

Choosing a district is one of the biggest decisions families make when buying. I help you connect school research to specific neighborhoods and homes that fit your goals.

Schedule School Strategy Session View Neighborhoods by District
All school data should be verified with districts or the Iowa Department of Education. Ratings/programs change over time.
Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES®

Sarah Ingles

REALTOR® SRES® | 10+ Years Insurance Expertise

I help families match school priorities with neighborhoods and homes that fit their budget. With my property insurance background, I also ensure you're protected from day one.

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