School Fees

  • 2023-24 Fees

    The West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education approved the following fees for the 2023-24 school year on April 10, 2023. These fees are effective July 1, 2023, and 2023-24 fee payments will open in July 2023.

    Each school may have optional items to purchase. These items should be listed online under your student’s school.

    How to Pay Fees Online

    Student Fee Waiver

    If you qualify for free and reduced-price meals, you may also be eligible to have student fees waived or partially waived. When you complete online enrollment, select "YES" when asked about fee waivers.

    Learn more about student fees waivers

School Fees

  • Textbook Fees*

    • Grades K-6: $60/year ($42/year reduced rate)
    • Grades 7-8: $70/year ($49/year reduced rate)
    • Grades 9-12: $90/year ($63/year reduced rate)

    *Textbook fees may be used toward various instructional materials including, but not limited to, books, electronic textbooks, computer software or applications, laptops, and other computing devices used for instructional purposes. Prorated based upon the quarter the student starts or leaves the district.

     

    Transportation Fees

    • Annual Round-Trip: $500 ($350 reduced rate)
    • Annual One-Way: $260 ($182 reduced rate)
    • Quarterly Round-Trip: $125 ($88 reduced rate)
    • Quarterly One-Way: $65 ($46 reduced rate)
    • Replacement Bus Pass: first time is free, then $10 (no reduced fee)

    Learn more about Transportation

     

    Instrument Fees

    • Strings/Band Rental: $65/year or $33/semester ($45/year or $23/semester reduced rate)
    • Percussion Rental: $50/year or $25/semester ($35/year or $17/semester reduced rate)

    Media Fees

    • 1:1 Chromebook: no cost to family
    • Chromebook Full Replacement: actual cost of replacement at the time of the damage (about $346; no reduced fee)  
    • Chromebook Case Replacement: actual cost of replacement at the time of damage or if lost (about $22, no reduced fee)  
    • Chromebook Charger Replacement: actual cost of replacement at the time of the damage or if lost (about $22, no reduced fee)  
    • Book Rebinding: actual cost (no reduced fee)  
    • Lost Book or Paperback Book: original cost (no reduced fee)  
    • Library Fines: Varies (no reduced fee)  

    Other Fees

    • Insufficient Check Charge: $30^ (no reduced fee)  
    • Home Schooling: $11/class for a full semester; $6/class for a quarter (no reduced fee)  

    ^Subject to change based on current overdraft charges from the bank.

Meal Prices

  • Breakfast Prices

    • Grades PK-6: $2.25 ($0.30* reduced rate)
    • Grades 7-12: $2.35 ($0.30* reduced rate)
    • Adults: $3 (no reduced rate)

    Lunch with Milk Prices

    • Grades PK-6: $3.25 ($0.40* reduced rate)
    • Grades 7-12: $3.35 ($0.40* reduced rate)
    • Adults: $4.85 (no reduced rate)


    *Required by law

    Meal prices for schools under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) are $0. CEP is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and districts in low-income areas that allows schools to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. These WDMCS schools qualify:

    • Clive Learning Academy
    • Crestview School of Inquiry
    • Crossroads Park Elementary
    • Hillside Elementary
    • Western Hills Elementary
    • Indian Hills Junior High
    • Stilwell Junior High
    • Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
    • Walnut Creek Campus

Secondary-Specific Fees

  • Activity Tickets

    • Student Activity Ticket (9-12): $65/year (no reduced fee — see Board Policy 503.03); optional and nonrefundable
    • Student Activity Ticket (7-8): $45/year (no reduced fee — see Board Policy 503.03); optional and nonrefundable

     

    Misc. Fees

    • P.E. Lock Replacement: $6 (no reduced fee)
    • Driver Education**: $365 ($109.50 reduced fee)
    • Driver Education if paying by credit card**: $375 ($119.50 reduced fee)
    • Summer School Classes at Valley/Walnut Creek (In-District Student): $225 ($157 reduced fee)
    • Summer School Classes at Valley/Walnut Creek (Out-of-District Student): $275 ($192 reduced fee)
    • Student Transcript: first two free, then $5 (no reduced fee)  
    • Tech. Ed. Lock Replacement: $10 (no reduced fee)    
    • Valley Graduation (Cap and Gown): $50 (no reduced fee)

    **The district’s agreement with Street Smarts (driver education provider) could result in higher fees if fuel prices reach a specified level or if the state requires expanded curriculum and/or drive times. The WDMCS Board of Education would first have to approve the higher fees.

    Course-Specific Fees

    (Subject to change based on district cost)

    • CPR Certification: $6 (no reduced fee)  
    • Lifeguard Certification: $40 (no reduced fee)  
    • Valley Interior Design Portfolio: $10 (no reduced fee)  
    • Valley FCS Chef Coat and Hat: $34 (no reduced fee)  
    • AMC Math Test: $5 (no reduced fee)  
    • AP Exam Fee: $95 ($27 reduced fee)
    • Biliteracy Seal Assessment Test: $10-25 ($7-17 reduced fee)
    • DMACC Class: $100 ($70 reduced fee)
    • PSAT: $27 (no reduced fee)  

    Valley/Valley Southwoods Parking Fines

    After four or more violations, your fine will be doubled.

    • Falsification: $20 (no reduced fee)  
    • Failure to Register: $20 (no reduced fee)  
    • Unauthorized Area: $20 (no reduced fee)  
    • Illegal Parking: $20 (no reduced fee)  
    • Illegal Parking in Handicap Space: $100 (no reduced fee)  
    • Replacement Parking Tag: $10 (no reduced fee)  


    Yearbook Fees

    • Valley Yearbook: $60; optional
    • Valley Southwoods Yearbook: $35; optional
    • Junior High Yearbooks: $35; optional
Last Modified on August 1, 2023