District News
![Tiger Cubs Preschool enrollment open for 2026-27]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768366243/wdmcsorg/ieiv3jbpco7otncegcsv/student-teacher_1080x1080.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768366243/wdmcsorg/ieiv3jbpco7otncegcsv/student-teacher_1080x1080.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768366243/wdmcsorg/ieiv3jbpco7otncegcsv/student-teacher_1080x1080.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768366243/wdmcsorg/ieiv3jbpco7otncegcsv/student-teacher_1080x1080.jpg","width":1080}])
- News and Updates
Tiger Cubs Preschool – the high-quality preschool program offered by West Des Moines Community Schools – is now enrolling students for the 2026-27 school year.
![WDMCS Board of Education holds regular business meeting Jan. 12, 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":1152}])
- School Board Information
The WDMCS Board of Education will hold a regular business meeting Jan. 12, 2026 at the Learning Resource Center in West Des Moines.
![PAWSitive Impact Winners: December 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767817772/wdmcsorg/dcpcdk5qxysm6w9wsujh/Untitled-1Nelson.png","width":240}])
- News and Updates
- Recognition and Honors
Meet the December 2025 PAWSitive Impact Staff Appreciation award winners.
![Jeremy Mikesell named Class 5A volleyball coach of the year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767740664/wdmcsorg/bpyzjlmuqk8jvcapyz13/jeremy-mikesell.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1767740664/wdmcsorg/bpyzjlmuqk8jvcapyz13/jeremy-mikesell.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1767740664/wdmcsorg/bpyzjlmuqk8jvcapyz13/jeremy-mikesell.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767740664/wdmcsorg/bpyzjlmuqk8jvcapyz13/jeremy-mikesell.jpg","width":1080}])
Valley volleyball coach Jeremy Mikesell earned 2025 Class 5A Coach of the Year honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.
![Aziz Haffar named 2025 national soccer coach of the year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766183791/wdmcsorg/mwagphtecbbxka4sxqef/Haffar_1080x1080.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766183791/wdmcsorg/mwagphtecbbxka4sxqef/Haffar_1080x1080.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766183791/wdmcsorg/mwagphtecbbxka4sxqef/Haffar_1080x1080.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766183791/wdmcsorg/mwagphtecbbxka4sxqef/Haffar_1080x1080.jpg","width":1080}])
- News and Updates
- Recognition and Honors
Valley boys' soccer coach Aziz Haffar was named the 2025 United Soccer Coaches National High School Boys Large Public School Coach of the Year.
![WDMCS Gives Back: How Schools Care for the Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764977382/wdmcsorg/axwv07r9a6bsc19bab0l/ih-toy-drive.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764977382/wdmcsorg/axwv07r9a6bsc19bab0l/ih-toy-drive.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764977382/wdmcsorg/axwv07r9a6bsc19bab0l/ih-toy-drive.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764977382/wdmcsorg/axwv07r9a6bsc19bab0l/ih-toy-drive.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764977382/wdmcsorg/axwv07r9a6bsc19bab0l/ih-toy-drive.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764977382/wdmcsorg/axwv07r9a6bsc19bab0l/ih-toy-drive.jpg","width":2048}])
- News and Updates
WDMCS has been giving back as 2025 comes to a close. Read some highlights to show how WDMCS students, families, and staff are making a difference.
![Recipe: Make WDMCS Students' Favorite Pumpkin Bars!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764958878/wdmcsorg/yyu26bwffuuo1c33gqeh/pumpkin-bars-25.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764958878/wdmcsorg/yyu26bwffuuo1c33gqeh/pumpkin-bars-25.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764958878/wdmcsorg/yyu26bwffuuo1c33gqeh/pumpkin-bars-25.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764958878/wdmcsorg/yyu26bwffuuo1c33gqeh/pumpkin-bars-25.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764958878/wdmcsorg/yyu26bwffuuo1c33gqeh/pumpkin-bars-25.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1764958878/wdmcsorg/yyu26bwffuuo1c33gqeh/pumpkin-bars-25.jpg","width":2200}])
- News and Updates
Get WDMCS Nutrition Services' popular pumpkin bar recipe!
![PAWSitive Impact Winners: November 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764866432/wdmcsorg/btucq343gbwuhazjjegg/ST-perrigo-240x240.png","width":240}])
- News and Updates
- Recognition and Honors
Meet the November 2025 PAWSitive Impact Staff Appreciation award winners.
![WDMCS Closed Sunday, Nov. 30]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706037561/wdmcsorg/tuz6s06pzrxcjsjv6yl9/weather_alert_512x512.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706037561/wdmcsorg/tuz6s06pzrxcjsjv6yl9/weather_alert_512x512.jpg","width":512}])
- News and Updates
- Weather Alert
All West Des Moines Community Schools buildings are closed Sunday, Nov. 30, due to severe weather conditions.
![WDMCS Board of Education elects new president, vice president]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764112671/wdmcsorg/nncyp6upv3kpsmufhgfv/board-president-and-vice-president-2025-26_1x1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764112671/wdmcsorg/nncyp6upv3kpsmufhgfv/board-president-and-vice-president-2025-26_1x1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764112671/wdmcsorg/nncyp6upv3kpsmufhgfv/board-president-and-vice-president-2025-26_1x1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764112671/wdmcsorg/nncyp6upv3kpsmufhgfv/board-president-and-vice-president-2025-26_1x1.jpg","width":1080}])
- News and Updates
- School Board Information
The WDMCS Board of Education elected Elizabeth Larson as president and Jill Caton Johnson, Ph.D., as vice president at its organizational meeting Monday, Nov. 24.
![WDMCS Gifted/Talented Team receives Belin-Blank Award for talent development]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763096817/wdmcsorg/yhw7sojoyic2guwbpxg7/wdmcs-belin-blank-award-2025.png","width":1080}])
The WDMCS Gifted/Talented Team earned the Belin-Blank Center Recognition Award for Talent Development thanks to an innovative proposal to launch an early talent development initiative in grades K-2.
![41 WDMCS student-musicians selected to All-State Festival]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763079467/wdmcsorg/aq6b9debihuzr1ehk3sd/music-department-photo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763079467/wdmcsorg/aq6b9debihuzr1ehk3sd/music-department-photo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763079467/wdmcsorg/aq6b9debihuzr1ehk3sd/music-department-photo.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763079467/wdmcsorg/aq6b9debihuzr1ehk3sd/music-department-photo.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1763079467/wdmcsorg/aq6b9debihuzr1ehk3sd/music-department-photo.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763079467/wdmcsorg/aq6b9debihuzr1ehk3sd/music-department-photo.jpg","width":2048}])
Congratulations to 41 WDMCS student-musicians selected to the 79th Annual Iowa All-State Music Festival.
![PAWSitive Impact Winners: October 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763060606/wdmcsorg/ygx22yrubrulo2g35rxs/CL-astelle-240x160.png","width":240}])
- News and Updates
- Recognition and Honors
Meet the October 2025 PAWSitive Impact Staff Appreciation award winners.
![See Valley's "Hamlet" Nov. 7-9]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762467943/wdmcsorg/yslntvn08vbzgozdrdbh/Hamlet-1066.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762467943/wdmcsorg/yslntvn08vbzgozdrdbh/Hamlet-1066.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762467943/wdmcsorg/yslntvn08vbzgozdrdbh/Hamlet-1066.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1762467943/wdmcsorg/yslntvn08vbzgozdrdbh/Hamlet-1066.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1762467943/wdmcsorg/yslntvn08vbzgozdrdbh/Hamlet-1066.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1762467943/wdmcsorg/yslntvn08vbzgozdrdbh/Hamlet-1066.jpg","width":2200}])
- Event Announcements
See Valley Drama's production of "Hamlet" Nov. 7-9 at the Staplin Performing Art Center.
- News and Updates
- School Board Information
Voters in the WDMCS district boundaries re-elected incumbents Fannette Elliott, Anadelia Morgan, and Lila Starr to the Board of Education following the Nov. 4, 2025 school election.
![Voters approve $135 million general obligation bond]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762318809/wdmcsorg/pxarwcoj5icvzwjq9a2a/APPROVED_1080x1080.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762318809/wdmcsorg/pxarwcoj5icvzwjq9a2a/APPROVED_1080x1080.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762318809/wdmcsorg/pxarwcoj5icvzwjq9a2a/APPROVED_1080x1080.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762318809/wdmcsorg/pxarwcoj5icvzwjq9a2a/APPROVED_1080x1080.png","width":1080}])
- News and Updates
- School Board Information
Voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4 approved West Des Moines Community Schools’ $135 million general obligation bond, which will fund key facility updates and new construction across the district.
![Three inducted into Valley High School Hall of Honor]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759813223/wdmcsorg/v6nc08s9mb3mg8h6tbip/hall-of-honor-2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759813223/wdmcsorg/v6nc08s9mb3mg8h6tbip/hall-of-honor-2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759813223/wdmcsorg/v6nc08s9mb3mg8h6tbip/hall-of-honor-2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759813223/wdmcsorg/v6nc08s9mb3mg8h6tbip/hall-of-honor-2025.jpg","width":1080}])
West Des Moines Community Schools inducted three new members into the Valley High School Hall of Honor in 2025: current staff member Jana Edwards and former staff members Steve Mohr and Pam Wymer.
![District leaders gather for fall Culture and Access summit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759533500/wdmcsorg/sdqmfnvc33fbjduhbrlz/fall-summit-2526-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759533500/wdmcsorg/sdqmfnvc33fbjduhbrlz/fall-summit-2526-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1759533500/wdmcsorg/sdqmfnvc33fbjduhbrlz/fall-summit-2526-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1759533500/wdmcsorg/sdqmfnvc33fbjduhbrlz/fall-summit-2526-2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1759533500/wdmcsorg/sdqmfnvc33fbjduhbrlz/fall-summit-2526-2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1759533500/wdmcsorg/sdqmfnvc33fbjduhbrlz/fall-summit-2526-2.jpg","width":2200}])
- News and Updates
Nearly 30 district administrators and access leads gathered for a day of learning hosted by the Culture and Access Department on Sept. 25.
![PAWSitive Impact Winners: September 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759532512/wdmcsorg/cotorbwubg7lca6uzqd6/HD-dirks.png","width":240}])
- News and Updates
- Recognition and Honors
Meet the September 2025 PAWSitive Impact Staff Appreciation award winners.
![Seven Valley seniors named National Merit® Semifinalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757970020/wdmcsorg/mwxfkafmo0l49x0aelmo/national-merit-semifinalsits-2526.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757970020/wdmcsorg/mwxfkafmo0l49x0aelmo/national-merit-semifinalsits-2526.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757970020/wdmcsorg/mwxfkafmo0l49x0aelmo/national-merit-semifinalsits-2526.jpg","width":593}])
- Recognition and Honors
Seven Valley High School seniors were named 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program Semifinalists.