Valley High School has a proud history....

In October of 1895, the doors opened to the first established high school in Valley Junction at 415 Seventh Street (the site of the present Phenix Elementary Early Childhood Center). Valley Junction’s first graduation was held on May 31, 1901.

By 1916, the population had grown and a bond issue was passed for a new high school. Construction on the three-story $50,000 structure at Eighth and Hillside was competed in 1917.

In 1938, when Valley Junction changed its name, the school district changed, too, becoming the West Des Moines Independent School District. At this time, one high school, a junior high school and three elementary schools served the needs of the community. In the same year and thanks to a grant from the Public Works Administrations, a new concrete stadium was built just north of the high school on Eighth Street.

In 1962, 38 acres of farmland near 35th and Ashworth Road were purchased by the School Board for $116,000 as a site for a new high school. Construction of Valley High School was completed in four phases from 1963 to 1970. Valley became a four-year high school during the 1971-72 school year. Costing nearly $5.5 million dollars, Valley High School stretched almost one-quarter of a mile from end to end. Also in 1971, Valley opened the Metropolitan Conference’s newest and largest gymnasium. Additional classrooms, science labs, and other student spaces have been added over the years.

On April 2, 1985, Valley’s new all-weather track, adjacent to the high school was dedicated. Additional renovations have been made throughout the years at the baseball and softball complexes.

In the fall of 1997, freshman students began attending a new ninth-grade facility known as Valley Southwoods Freshman High School at 625 South 35th Street. Valley High School became a grades 10 through 12 building.

In October of 2004, a $31.5 million dollar renovation of Valley High School was begun. The construction will occur in three major phases. The project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2007. At the end of the project, two new additions and a major “infill” addition will be added to the existing building.

An enhanced physical plant addition contains new boilers, chillers and electrical power service entrance and curriculum space for the Automotive and Electrical Technology Programs.

A new, two-story 72,595 square classroom addition will provide flexible support spaces for individualized, small group, project based or teamed learning.

The “infill” project connects the entire building as a “Student Commons.” This space opened in the fall of 2006 and includes a new media center, business education labs and easily accessed administrative and counseling offices. The Student Commons is the heart of the building, with space for students to gather, a coffee bar and student store.

>> View Valley construction updates and photos