Des Moines Public Schools

The Des Moines Public Schools Exist So That Graduates Possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to Be Successful at the Next Stage of Their Lives.

• About Us
  About DMPS
  
  
  Beginning a Second Century of Excellence
  
  For over 100 years, Des Moines Public Schools has been educating the students of Iowa’s capital city. Today, we are the largest provider of public education in Iowa, with more than 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 teachers and staff at work in more than 60 schools throughout the community.
  
  Des Moines is a vibrant, innovative and diverse city. In fact, Parenting magazine ranked Des Moines #5 on the list of the best cities in the nation to raise a family, in large part due to great schools and learning opportunities.
  
  Those traits are reflected throughout our school district in the breadth of the programs we offer and the constituency we serve. Our students, parents, teachers and staff come from many different backgrounds, all of which contribute to the richness of a DMPS education. The wide range of opportunities in Des Moines meets the academic interests, abilities and goals of every student.
  
  We boast the largest variety of educational programs – many of them nationally renowned – in Iowa. That includes the state’s only International Baccalaureate curriculum and the only public Montessori school. According to the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education, our Central Academy’s “record of excellence with Advanced Placement is an honor for the entire state of Iowa,” producing more National AP Scholars in one recent year than 13 entire states! The Downtown School is regarded as a national model. Several schools feature continuous calendars throughout the year, and our Career & Tech Institute delivers training in everything from culinary arts to aviation technology, a scope that is rare in districts with comparable profiles.
• Our Impact
  Student Expectations
  
  Students demonstrate proficiency and understanding of a rigorous core curriculum:
  •They demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening
  •They demonstrate proficiency in mathematics, including algebra and geometry
  •They demonstrate financial and economic literacy
  •They demonstrate an understanding of the value of fine and performing arts in society
  •They demonstrate proficiency in technological and information literacy
  •They demonstrate proficiency in science, including life, earth and physical science
  
  Students possess the knowledge and skills to be self-directed and autonomous:
  •They demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills
  •They exercise sound reasoning in making complex choices
  •They exhibit creative, innovative and entrepreneurial thinking
  •They understand the attributes of physical and mental well-being
  
  Students have world awareness:
  •They learn from and work with individuals representing diverse cultures and religions in a spirit of mutual respect in school, work and community
  •They understand the rights and obligations of citizenship at local, state, national, and global levels
  •They are actively engaged in community life
  •They will be exposed to languages and cultures of the world