Urbandale vs. Ankeny Schools? (Des Moines, Ames: houses, neighborhoods, school districts)

[CBtoDSM]

We are moving back to the Des Moines area finally! We left about 16 years ago...and are now coming back with 2 children in elementary school. We are looking at homes in good school districts that offer lots of opportunities.


We are currently considering houses in Indianola, Urbandale, and Ankeny. I grew up outside of Norwalk, so I have a good feel for Indianola. I lived in Urbandale, but was young and single. We have quite different priorities now. (DH grew up near Ames.) Ankeny has grown so much over the years, that I barely recognize it from my DMACC years.


So I would love opinions from parents who are familiar with the school districts in the area. I need some help! Our son has ADHD, so we need a good administration to help work with him. Our daughter is a bit on the shy side, so I think too small of a school would be harder for her. Our kids are very active, but not too interested in team sports right now. They are both in gymnastics, though, and I see that Ankeny and Indianola both have programs...


I love the diversity Urbandale offers, but I'm not familiar with the schools.


Any parents care to provide an opinion? Or does anyone know of a "mom" group I should join?


Thanks!

[IronNigerian]

Why are you just looking at suburbs? Des Moines has plenty of nice single family home neighborhoods with good schools. Every looked at the Beaverdale neighborhood?

[capitalcityguy]

Also curious why you'd look at Ankeny and Urbandale but not Johnston (which is essentially geographically in between the two and normally has the top ranted school system).

[Florida2014]

I would add Johnston, Waukee and West Des Moines to your seach. All have good schools and all have very nice pockets where you can raise a family.