Moving to Des Moines area (Urbandale, Ankeny: neighborhoods, school districts, prices)

[mcline320]

My husband just accepted a job in Des Moines. We will be moving from WA state. (He is from IA - I'm from WI, so we know what we're getting into).
Anyway, I'm trying to research school districts and neighborhoods. From what
I've read, the Dallas Center/Grimes district sounds what we're looking for. (small). Can anyone give me any first hand information?
Thanks.

[Des Moines Iowa USA]

My kids went to DM schools and loved every minute of it, but I've heard good things about DC/Grimes. Here is a great site:


http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/cities/IA/#D_anchor

[hawkeye_10]

Johnston's schools are excellent.

[duster1979]

If you don't mind a short drive to DM, the Ballard school district serving south Story county is very good; the three primary communities of Huxley, Slater, and Cambridge are small, but offer the essential needs. Plus housing prices will be significantly lower for what you get than metro DM.

[Packerman]

Honestly I think Urbandale Schools are probably the best around the Des Moines area. I had two children graduate from there and they are wonderful. They are ranked 8th in the state. Also the graduating class stays around 250 to 300. The problem with Johnston and Ankeny is that they keep grown and their schools are getting so overcrowded. Urbandale is like it's own little town but close to everything. I would really look at that area.

[Specialneedsteacher]

Hey there....
Dallas Center Grimes is definetly a nice district. Very small. My question I suppose would be... is it going to be too small. I grew up in Adel and then moved to NYC for school. 6 years out there and I am back here teaching special needs children. I consider Adel to be bigger than Dallas Center and Grimes and it is way too small for me. To raise kids here though it is nice... very conservative if that is what you are looking for. No diversity though. That is the one thing that really gets to me here. Adel only has maybe 5 different races in the student body of the entire High School. Which tells you the amount of diversity adel has as far as the population here. I dont know if I support the old school view here sometimes. Good systems for education however. Strict rules and I would have to say very little drug problems in the schools out here compared to the cities. Hope this helps a little... let me know if you have specifics....

[jackcat]

Waukee and Grimes are both good! My niece attends Waukee and does well.