Des Moines Public Schools is piloting a new program to offer school bus transportation to a limited number of general education preschool students during the 2024-25 school year. If the pilot is successful, the district hopes to extend the offering to all DMPS preschool students in future school years.

“I am excited to start offering more of our youngest students access to early education,” said Kristin Rourk, Director of Early Childhood Education. “Removing a transportation barrier means more families are able to send their child to preschool.”

DMPS will provide transportation to preschool students in 9 school locations (Capitol View, Carver, Garton, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, McKinley, Moulton) if the student lives within the school’s boundary and more than 1.5 miles from school. Transportation will also be provided to and from daycares/childcares within the approved area.

The district will also provide transportation to all four early childhood centers (McKee, Mitchell, JF Taylor, and Woodlawn) for some of our half-day classrooms if they live within the center’s boundary and more than 1.5 miles from the center.

Please contact your child’s preschool center or elementary school for more information. If you haven’t yet registered your child for preschool, the transportation options will be explained during the enrollment process.