Other Schools
Casady Alternative Center
1801 16th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
Casady Alternative Center is home to three different programs that are rigorous, relevant and re-affirming for students who need special education services for behavior disorders within a special setting. The school provides intensive instructional support to students through: career and vocational exploration and experience, literacy support, computer based instruction, project based learning, behavioral intervention services, social work services and collaborative community services.
Principal: Randi Oleson
P: 515-323-8641 |
F: 515-323-8617 |
Central Academy
1912 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Central Academy offers students from across the Des Moines metro challenging, academically advanced coursework in core academic areas and world languages. Home to Iowa’s only International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Central Academy also offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses and six world languages, many of which are unique to central Iowa.
Principal: Gary McClanahan, Director/Crista Carlile, Supervisor
P: 515-242-7888 |
F: 515242-8252 |
E: centralacademy@dmschools.org
Website: Central Academy
Central Campus
1800 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Central Campus compliments and extends the programs of central Iowa schools, offering unique academic and career opportunities that direct, inspire, and motivate a diverse group of students.
Principal: Gary McClanahan, Director / Julie Rosin, Ass't Director
P: 515-242-7846 |
F: 515-242-7598 |
E: centralcampus@dmschools.org
Website: Central Campus
Future Pathways
1800 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
The learning process and environment at Future Pathways are unlike anything most students have ever experienced. Each day, students make decisions to guide their own learning in meaningful, relevant ways. Future Pathways serves Des Moines Public School students who are at least 17 years old with at least ten credits in order to provide a personalized, progressive and project-based education with the goal of graduation for all.
Principal: Erin Stoen, Administrator
P: 515-242-8195 |
F: 515-242-7809 |
E: futurepathways@dmschools.org
Website: Future Pathways
Middle School Alternative Education Center
2115 East 39th Street, Des Moines, IA 50317
The McKee Middle School Alternative Education program serves students in grades six through nine who are experiencing significant behavioral or emotional difficulties that cannot be addressed in a comprehensive setting. The program is designed to meet the needs of students who have habitual disruptive behavior. The program provides academic and intensive social/emotional therapy to successfully transition students back to their home schools.
Principal: Randi Oleson
P: 515-323-8643 |
E: randi.oleson@dmps.k12.ia.us
Orchard Place Campus School
5412 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
Orchard Place Campus School provides the curriculum and instruction for students who are residents of Orchard Place, a PMIC (Psychiatric Medical Institute for Children) non-profit facility. Services are provided for students in grades 4 – 12 from across the state of Iowa.
Principal: Shari Thompson
P: 515-287-9700 |
F: 515-287-9707 |
E: orchardplace@dmschools.org
Website: Orchard Place Campus School
PACE (Interagency Programs)
620 8th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
PACE provides educational and casework services to students in grades 8-12. Students work on academic courses and social skills. The program serves students receiving special education services.
Principal: Randi Oleson
P: 515-697-5700 |
E: randi.oleson@dmps.k12.ia.us
Ruby Van Meter
710 28th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ruby Van Meter is a special secondary school serving 180 students who have moderate and severe disabilities. There are a variety of age appropriate opportunities for students found in very few schools around the country.
Principal: Cynthia Weisz
P: 515-242-8220 |
F: 515-242-8223 |
E: vanmeter@dmschools.org
Website: Ruby Van Meter
Scavo Alternative High School
3725 52nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50310
Scavo Alternative High School serves approximately 300 students in grades 10-12. Classroom size is smaller with additional supports for students needing an environment that is responsive and flexible to their learning needs.
Principal: Rich Blonigan
P: 515-242-7589 |
F: 515-242-7591 |
E: scavo@dmschools.org
Website: Scavo Alternative High School
Smouse Opportunity School
2820 Center Street, Des Moines, IA 50312
Smouse Opportunity School provides each PK-5 student an educational program that is individualized to meet his or her needs. To assist the teaching staff, the school has a special education consultant, school nurse, speech pathologist, school psychologist, school social worker, and occupational and physical therapists to support the instructional program.
Principal: Leslie Timmerman
P: 515-242-8210 |
F: 515-242-8214 |
E: smouse@dmschools.org
Website: Smouse Opportunity School