Jordan Creek Elementary School was dedicated on September 13, 1992 and was known as Phenix-Jordan Creek Elementary School for the first year. The school was very unique in that students who filled the classrooms came from almost every school in the district. Many of the students attended Westridge, whose boundaries included the Jordan Creek neighborhood until the new school opened. A strong contingent of students and families from Phenix Elementary School attended the new school for the 1992-93 school year while their school (the oldest elementary school in the district) was closed for extensive remodeling. Thus, the name Phenix-Jordan Creek Elementary School recognized this combination of school neighborhoods.

Jordan Creek Elementary School was the first building of a planned two-school campus (Valley Southwoods) with adjacent municipal buildings (West Des Moines Public Library and City Hall) all serving a growing residential neighborhood. Red and brown brick, with geometric blue roof accents, developed a color palette that harmonized with the subsequent development of the city/school campus as it has become known.

The school pinwheels "families" of 24 similar grade classrooms around a focal point open media center. Special needs students are accommodated and blended into this 768 student building, creating the potential for maximum learning and service to the community.

Opening Day Profile

• Architect: RDG Bussard Dikis Inc.
• Contractor: Ringland Johnson Crowley
• Student Capacity: 768
• Building Size: 82,000 square feet
• Site: 20 acres
• Number of Classrooms: 36

Jordan Creek is currently the largest elementary building in the district. Jordan Creek prides itself on a positive climate and a family/community culture. We have a very active and involved PFC (Parent/Faculty Club). The curriculum is implemented in a variety of modes involving researched based teaching and learning practices which include constructivist processes, hands-on approaches, differentiated instruction, and technology assisted instruction to name a few. Students also participle in Multi-age activates, Buddy Classes, Peer Helpers Program, service learning activities, Junior Achievement, Junior Great Books, Talking Canvas, and outdoor education. Jordan Creek has implemented technology across the curriculum at all grade levels. Jordan Creek is consistently at the forefront of academic growth and achievement as well as furthering the development of Emotional Intelligence and Character Education for our students.