Des Moines Public Schools

We hope all of our students, teachers, staff and families are able to find time to relax and recharge during Spring Break. Tomorrow as well as Monday, March 23 are professional development days at DMPS. Spring break is March 16-20. Classes will resume on Tuesday, March 24.

Thanks to support from BRAVO, all DMPS 5th graders attended a concert this week by the Des Moines Symphony that included a performance of Bartok's Concerto for Viola and Orchestra performed by Roosevelt High School senior Adalyn Sidon. See more: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMS6Q

When you’re a shark, you’re a shark all the way Generations of Roosevelt High School students have taken the plunge into synchronized swimming, including this team pictured in the 1941 ...

The Roosevelt Sharks are the oldest synchronized swim club in the nation, celebrating their centennial this year. DSM Magazine shares the history of this Des Moines legacy. dsmmagazine.com/2026/03/10/w...

Reimagining Education: New Maker Spaces for Brody and Goodrell - Des Moines Public Schools A major step forward for Reimagining Education is now underway. The Des Moines Public Schools Board of Education has approved plans to use funding from the GO Bond to build new 6,000-square-foot caree...

A big step forward for #ReimaginingEducation.

The School Board approved plans to build new 6,000 sq. ft. CTE maker spaces at Brody and Goodrell middle schools using GO Bond funding.

Construction begins this summer and will take one year to complete. www.dmschools.org/2026/03/reim...

The School Board approved plans for several school facility improvements tonight including two of our first Reimagining Education projects: new career and technical education classrooms and maker spaces at Brody and Goodrell middle schools.

We are so grateful for our partners at Prairie Meadows and Polk County and their support of our students, teachers and schools ... tonight presenting DMPS with a check for more than $569,000 for public education in Iowa's capital city.

Always a great School Board meeting when a state championship trophy makes an appearance ... the Board celebrated the Lincoln High School girls bowling team on their recent win of a state title. Congratulations to Coach Felton and the Rails!

We celebrated the opening of the DMPS student art exhibit at Mainframe Studios on Friday night. Artwork by more than 800 students representing every DMPS school will be on display through March 24. See more of the opening night celebration: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMzb6

It is Scarlet Strong Week at East High! Stop by campus tomorrow evening and join in the celebration at the 4th annual Eastside Community Night.

3 Opera Goats Sing for All Grades 3 Thanks to a grant from BRAVO, OPERA Iowa performed The Billy Goats Gruff for all DMPS third graders from throughout the district in the Central Campus auditorium this week. Performing Arts Curriculum ...

DMPS third graders experienced opera this week as OPERA Iowa performed The Billy Goats Gruff at Central Campus.

Thanks to a grant from BRAVO, and Des Moines Metro Opera, students from across the district had the chance to see opera live. More photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMswG

National School Breakfast Week From the car line, to the breakfast line, Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen, Interim Superintendent Matt Smith, School Board Vice Chair Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, and Director of Food & Nutrition Service...

Thank you to our amazing dining staff for serving up fun breakfasts all week long for #NationalSchoolBreakfastWeek. Some very special guests helped Shelly the Egg hand out the most important meal of the day at South Union Elementary. See if you can identify them! flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMeAq

Central Campus Hiring Fair As part of a career-readiness program at Central Campus, more than 500 students connected directly with employers about real jobs and career opportunities during the Central Campus Hiring Fair in the ...

More than 500 Central Campus students connected with employers about real career opportunities during the Central Campus Hiring Fair. This is one of several senior sessions designed to ensure every student leaves with employability skills. Photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMjQu

We are happy to share that DMPS received a $48,800 IDEA-DA Continuous Improvement Grant from the Iowa Department of Education. The funding will support professional learning that help deliver high-quality instruction for students with disabilities. www.dmschools.org/news_release...

Tonight's the Night: join us at Mainframe Studios for "First Friday" and the opening of our annual student art exhibit ... on display through March 24 and featuring the work of more than 800 students from throughout Des Moines Public Schools.

Dine Out for DMPS: Restaurants Support Schools on March 26 - Des Moines Public Schools Gather your friends and family to support our incredible local food scene while also raising money for the Des Moines Public Schools Foundation! On Thursday, March 26, several Des Moines restaurants a...

Gather your friends and family to support our incredible local food scene AND raise money for the Des Moines Public Schools Foundation! On Thursday, March 26, several Des Moines restaurants are generously donating a portion of their sales to the DMPS Foundation. www.dmschools.org/2026/03/dine...

Greenwood Elementary School celebrated Read Across America with a line-up of guest readers that included the mayor, superintendent, a city councilmen, a school board member, firefighters and the Roosevelt girls basketball team. See more: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMnJw

UNI's Purple Pathway for School Administrators guides veteran teachers to educational leadership When the University of Northern Iowa sees a need for Iowans, it takes action. The Purple Pathway for School Administrators is a prime example of this. Launched in 2023, the program is specifically des...

We are proud to partner with the University of Northern Iowa
in providing our teachers the opportunity to further both their own education and careers. Learn more about the Purple Pathway. insideuni.uni.edu/education/un...

Roosevelt's boys basketball team enjoyed one of its best seasons in years, making it to the Substate finals. The Riders came up just short last night, falling 43-40 to Johnston. Congrats, Riders, on a strong season: 17-6 overall and undefeated in conference play. See more: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMeXe

Tonight's Class 4A Substate Championship between the Roosevelt Roughriders and Johnston is SOLD OUT! The winner goes on to the State tournament. You can watch the game live on Roosevelt's HUDL Fan page with the QR code below or listen to the broadcast on KXnO 96.9 FM!

From music and dance to fashion and food, Roosevelt High School celebrated the students and families who come to Des Moines from around the world at the school's annual Culture Night. See more at flic.kr/s/aHBqjCLXgH

Due to a fire in a student restroom this afternoon, North High School was evacuated and has dismissed classes for the rest of today. All students and staff are safe. Parents may pick up students and transportation is being provided for those who ride the school bus.

Roosevelt hosted East last night in a substate boys basketball semifinal matchup. With one of their best seasons in over a decade, the Riders topped the Scarlets 79-52. Roosevelt hosts Johnston on Tuesday at 7:00 PM, with the winner going on to the State tournament. See more: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCLCWW

One week from today it's First Friday at Mainframe Studios, featuring student-artists from across DMPS. Stop by the opening reception between 5-8 PM next Friday to enjoy and celebrate the work of our young creators.

Roosevelt Sharks make historic splash with centennial pageant DES MOINES, Iowa — The nation’s longest-running synchronized swim club is preparing to make a historic splash as it celebrates an incredible milestone: 100 years in the water.  At Roosevelt H…

The Sharks at Roosevelt High School is the nation's longest-running synchronized swim club. WHO-TV stopped by a recent practice as they prepare for their Centennial pageant in April. who13.com/news/metro-n...

Central JROTC Adds to Legacy as One of the Nation's Best - Des Moines Public Schools For years, the U.S. Marine Corps JROTC programs at Des Moines Public Schools have been among the top in the nation for the marksmanship they demonstrated at air rifle competitions. On Saturday, Centra...

The JROTC program at Central Campus adds to their legacy as one of the nation's best, earning multiple honors at the recent state air rifle championship as they prepare for national competition. www.dmschools.org/2026/02/cent...

Second Grade Dinosaur Museum at Windsor During Windsor Elementary School’s second grade unit, “Fossils Tell of Earth’s Changes,” students investigated the work of paleontologists, learned about fossil hunter Mary Anning, explored how fossil...

Second graders at Windsor Elementary became paleontologists during their unit “Fossils Tell of Earth’s Changes.”

They created their own interactive museum filled with fossils, artwork & research displays. 🦴
See more photos: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCLxwj

LETRS Celebration at River Woods Finishing their day of professional development last week, River Woods Elementary School celebrated the completion of a rigorous three-year Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LE...

🎉 Cheers to River Woods Elementary teachers who just wrapped 3 years of LETRS Science of Reading training!

📈 Early results: student scores are up 17% from fall to winter.

40 teachers, 2 coaches, 2 administrators.
One shared commitment to literacy success.
👏 #ScienceOfReading flic.kr/s/aHBqjCLruV

Lincoln's ACC Celebrates Lunar New Year Celebrating the Lunar New Year, Lincoln High School’s Asian Cultural Connection (ACC) club welcomed students to make momos (Nepali dumplings) and boba tea on Tuesday, February 17. ACC co-founder Katie...

Celebrating #LunarNewYear, Lincoln High School's Asian Cultural Connection club welcomed students to make momos and boba tea. Cofounder Katie Xayavong said they celebrate students of Asian heritage while creating a space where everyone can learn and connect. flic.kr/s/aHBqjCKTNY

Due to weather conditions, there is a two-hour delay tomorrow morning at DMPS for the start of classes at the Downtown School as well as for our MetroKids program and staff professional development sessions. Because it is a PD day, there are no classes at all other DMPS schools.

State of the Schools Highlights Progress, Partnerships and Plans - Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Public Schools leaders delivered a message of progress and momentum during the 2026 State of the Schools at Central Campus, highlighting academic gains, strong community support, and the ne...

Encouraging academic gains and the next phase of Reimagining Education took center stage at the 2026 State of the Schools, as Board Chair Kim Martorano and Interim Superintendent Matt Smith outlined progress and what’s ahead for DMPS. www.dmschools.org/2026/02/stat...