West Des Moines Community Schools, in partnership with the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the district’s $28 million expansion at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School. The event is open to the public.
The new career and technical education (CTE) facility offers students hands-on, real-world learning opportunities in fields such as culinary arts, manufacturing, engineering technology, architecture and construction, and more.
“This cutting-edge facility provides our students with the skills and experiences they need to succeed in internships, apprenticeships and their future careers,” WDMCS Superintendent Dr. Matt Adams said. “We are proud to support the next generation of our community’s workforce. It’s been exciting to watch our students thrive in this space as they build bright futures.”
The ceremony will feature remarks from Mayor Russ Trimble of West Des Moines, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Katherine Harrington, and district representatives. Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the new classrooms, labs and workshops.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's 2024 Condition of Education report, more than 80% of 2019 high school graduates completed at least one career-education course, illustrating the growing popularity of CTE programs. Currently, 58% of WDMCS students in grades 9-12 are enrolled in at least one CTE course for the 2024-25 school year, a 15% increase from the prior year. That equates to more than 1,700 students.
The facility, completed in January of 2024, is in its first full school year serving students at Valley Southwoods, Valley High School and Walnut Creek Campus.