Providing a Great Start to Education

Schools in Des Moines vary in age from nearly 120 years old to Edmunds, which opened in 2013.

More than 15,000 students attend 38 elementary schools throughout the school district.

Des Moines Public Schools does not take a one-size-fits-all approach to education, and that especially applies to our elementary schools. The school district was the first in Iowa to offer the International Baccalaureate program, and four of our elementary schools – Hubbell, Park Avenue, Stowe, and Walnut Street – are IB World Schools. Cowles, which serves students in grades K-8, is Iowa’s only public Montessori school. The Downtown School has earned national recognition for its unique approach to learning, including combined grade levels and a non-traditional calendar; Phillips participates in the Core Knowledge program; and Wright is an Artful Learning school. Findley, Cattell, Madison and Oak Park are Turnaround Arts schools.  In addition, Ruby Van Meter provides students in grades PK-5 with an educational program individualized to meet their special needs, including a special education consultant, nurse, speech pathologist, psychologist, social worker, and occupational and physical therapists.

DMPS also provides a variety of preschool options, including collaborations with community partners and programs at several of our elementary schools.

For more information about elementary schools and preschools in Des Moines, visit the directory in the menu to the right.