Choosing a Des Moines metro neighborhood is really a choice between school districts. Iowa public schools vary significantly in test scores, extracurriculars, teacher-student ratios, and community support. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the major Des Moines metro districts so you can match the right district to your family.
Top Tier — The Top 5
Waukee Community School District
- Serves: Waukee, parts of West Des Moines, parts of Clive
- Enrollment: ~13,000
- State ranking: Top 5 consistently
- Highlights: New facilities, strong STEM, competitive athletics, Waukee High School and Waukee Northwest High School
- Why families pick it: Rapid growth has brought new construction and new buildings, strong advanced placement program, top extracurriculars
Ankeny Community School District
- Serves: Ankeny
- Enrollment: ~12,000
- State ranking: Top 5
- Highlights: Ankeny High School, Ankeny Centennial High School, strong music and arts programs, Prairie Ridge and Southview middle schools
- Why families pick it: Consistent top performance, strong balance of academics and extracurriculars, solid value at Ankeny housing prices
Johnston Community School District
- Serves: Johnston
- Enrollment: ~7,500
- State ranking: Top 3 consistently
- Highlights: Johnston High School, advanced placement strength, consistent test scores
- Why families pick it: Small-district feel with large-district resources, established neighborhoods with mature trees
Strong Tier
West Des Moines Community Schools
- Serves: Most of West Des Moines, parts of Clive
- Enrollment: ~9,500
- Highlights: Valley High School (nationally ranked), Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
- Why families pick it: Valley High School is one of the best-known high schools in Iowa; strong diversity of programs
Urbandale Community School District
- Serves: Urbandale, parts of Des Moines
- Enrollment: ~4,000
- Highlights: Urbandale High School, strong music and arts
- Why families pick it: Quality education at a lower home-price entry point than Waukee or WDM
Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District
- Serves: Grimes, Dallas Center
- Enrollment: ~3,500
- Highlights: Dallas Center-Grimes High School, strong community support
- Why families pick it: Newer facilities, small-town feel, lower cost of living in Grimes
Good Tier
Norwalk Community School District
- Serves: Norwalk
- Enrollment: ~3,000
- Highlights: Norwalk High School, strong athletics
- Why families pick it: Most affordable top-rated district in the metro, small-town feel
Southeast Polk Community School District
- Serves: Pleasant Hill, Altoona, Runnells
- Enrollment: ~7,000
- Highlights: Southeast Polk High School, strong extracurriculars
- Why families pick it: Solid schools at affordable east-metro housing prices
Bondurant-Farrar Community School District
- Serves: Bondurant
- Enrollment: ~2,500
- Highlights: Bondurant-Farrar High School, rapidly growing district
- Why families pick it: Small-town feel in one of the fastest-growing metro suburbs
Des Moines Public Schools
- Serves: City of Des Moines
- Enrollment: ~30,000 (the largest district in Iowa)
- Highlights: Roosevelt High School, Hoover High School, Central Campus, Des Moines Central Academy
- Why families pick it: Strong magnet program at Central Campus, arts and STEM strength at Roosevelt, broader diversity than suburban districts
How to Pick
My recommended decision tree:
1. Top-5 academics, willing to pay premium: Waukee, Ankeny, or Johnston
2. Top academics, mid-range price: Ankeny, Urbandale, or Dallas Center-Grimes
3. Best value: Norwalk, Urbandale, or Bondurant-Farrar
4. Magnet or specialty program: Des Moines Public Schools (Central Academy, Central Campus)
5. Small-district feel: Dallas Center-Grimes, Norwalk, or Bondurant-Farrar
Watch the School Boundary Lines
Two things most relocators don't realize:
1. West Des Moines is split. Some WDM addresses go to West Des Moines CSD (Valley High), others go to Waukee CSD. These are very different districts and the boundary runs right through the city.
2. Clive is split. Same story — Clive addresses can fall in either West Des Moines CSD or Waukee CSD. Verify the specific address before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best school district in Des Moines?
A: Waukee, Ankeny, and Johnston are the three districts families ask about most; compare any of them on the Iowa School Performance Profiles rather than on a ranking.
Q: Is West Des Moines in the Waukee school district?
A: Some of it. The boundary runs through the city. Western and newer parts of West Des Moines are typically in Waukee CSD, while established parts are in West Des Moines CSD. Always verify the specific address before buying.
Q: What is the biggest school district in Des Moines?
A: Des Moines Public Schools with approximately 30,000 students is the largest district in Iowa.
Q: Are Des Moines private schools worth the cost?
A: For families who want specific values or programs, yes. Dowling Catholic, Des Moines Christian, Grand View Christian, and Heritage Christian are the best-known metro private options. For pure academic quality, the top public suburbs match most private schools.
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