Community Reference Guide
Des Moines
Des Moines is located in the heart of Iowa. The city is the political, economic, and cultural capital of the state and provides many advantages of both large and small-town living. The community, with its agrarian past, has emerged as a vibrant, heartland metropolis with an ever-expanding business climate that offers many outstanding opportunities.
Des Moines, "The new style American city," is alive with new industries such as agribusiness, biotechnology, computer development, financial services, insurance, and warehouse and distribution. More than $3.5 billion in new construction and renovation has taken place in the city. Over 30 downtown blocks are connected by climate-controlled skywalks giving access to offices, hotels, parking, department stores, shops, restaurants, public facilities, movie theaters, and convention centers.
POPULATION (2000 est.) 194,814CULTURAL & RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
- 3 Public Golf Courses
- 73 Public Parks
- 1 Country Club
- 87 Public Tennis Courts
- 3 Family Aquatic Centers
- 3 Swimming Pools
- Blank Park Zoo Botanical Center
- Greater Iowa Aquarium
- Science Center Art Center
- State Historical Museum
- 6 Public Libraries
- Des Moines Convention Center
- Des Moines Play House
- Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
- Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Home of the Iowa Barnstormers, Arena Football)
- Metro Ice Sports Arena (Home of the Des Moines Buccaneers, Jr. "A" Hockey Club)
- Sec Taylor Baseball Stadium (Home of the AAA Iowa Cubs)
ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS
The internationally recognized Drake Relays are held in April. In June the World Pork Expo is held at the state fairgrounds with one of the nation's largest barbeque contests. Each July Des Moines celebrates the Two Rivers Festival, featuring downtown water events, a carnival, activities for children and ethnic foods. One of the nation's largest state fairs - the Iowa State Fair - is held in August. Cultural attractions in Des Moines include: the Des Moines Ballet, Des Moines Symphony, Des Moines Metro Opera, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Botanical Center, Iowa Historical Buildings, and Science Center of Iowa.
EDUCATION
Des Moines Public Schools
1801 16th Street Des Moines, Iowa
50314 (515) 242-7911
Adams School | 3720 E 29th St | 266-5169 |
Brody Middle School | 2501 Park Ave | 244-7129 |
Callahan Middle School | 3010 Center St | 242-8101 |
Capitol View School | 320 E 16th St | 242-8402 |
Cattell School | 3101 E 12th St | 262-5697 |
Central Campus | 1800 Grand Ave | 242-7846 |
Cowles School | 6401 College Ave | 242-7818 |
Douglas School | 3800 E Douglas Ave | 265-0366 |
Downtown School | 501 Locust St | 284-5848 |
East High School | 815 E 13th St | 242-7788 |
Edmunds | 1601 Crocker St | 243-1174 |
Findley School | 3000 Cambridge St | 282-5281 |
Garton School | 2820 E 24th St | 262-3144 |
Goodrell Middle School | 3300 E 29th St | 265-6051 |
Granger School | 101 E Leach St | 285-7525 |
Greenwood School | 1001 Amos Ave | 242-8410 |
Hanawalt School | 225 56th St | 274-3824 |
Harding Middle School | 203 E Euclid | 244-9189 |
Hiatt Middle School | 1214 E 15th St | 242-7774 |
Hoover High School | 4800 Aurora Ave | 242-7300 |
Howe School | 2900 Indianola Ave | 244-8161 |
Hoyt Middle School | 2700 E 42nd St | 265-7395 |
Hubbell School | 800 42nd St | 242-7345 |
Jackson School | 3825 Indianola Ave | 288-0157 |
Jefferson School | 2425 Watrous Ave | 287-2020 |
King School | 1849 Forest Ave | 243-1297 |
Lincoln High School | 2600 SW9th St | 242-7500 |
Longfellow School | 1101 E 6th St | 266-8067 |
Lovejoy School | 801 E Kenyon | 285-3156 |
Madison School | 806 E Hoffman | 265-5609 |
McCombs Middle | 201 SWCounty Line Rd | 287-2565 |
McKee School | 2115 E 39th St | 266-3423 |
McKinley School | 1610 SE 6th St | 243-1844 |
Meredith Middle School | 4827 Madison Ave | 242-7250 |
Merrill Middle School | 5301 Grand Ave | 274-3441 |
Mitchell School | 111 Porter Ave | 285-2378 |
Monroe School | 2250 30th St | 242-8425 |
Moore School | 3725 52nd St | 278-0407 |
Moulton School | 3929 Bel Aire Rd | 242-8427 |
North High School | 501 Holcomb Ave | 242-7200 |
Oak Park School | 3928 6th Ave | 244-0301 |
Park Ave School | 3141 SW9th St | 242-8429 |
Perkins School | 4301 College Ave | 274-3421 |
Phillips School | 1701 Lay St | 265-3406 |
Pleasant Hill School | 4801 Oakwood Dr | 265-7573 |
Roosevelt High School | 4419 Center St | 242-7272 |
Smouse School | 2820 Center St | 242-8210 |
Stowe School | 1411 E 33rd St | 265-5684 |
Studebaker School | 300 E County Line Rd | 287-2330 |
Van Meter School | 710 28th St | 242-8220 |
Wallace School | 1401 E 12th St | 265-5301 |
Willard School | 2941 Dean Ave | 262-5681 |
Watrous/Mann School | 1000 SWPorter Ave | 242-8421 |
Weeks Middle School | 901 E Park Ave | 288-6755 |
Windsor School | 5912 University Ave | 242-8440 |
Woodlawn School | 4000 Lower Beaver Rd | 279-9744 |
Wright School | 5001 SW14th St | 285-5348 |
Colleges and Universities
- American Institute of Business
- Des Moines Community College
- Drake University
- Grand View College
- Hamilton Business College
- University of Osteopathic Medicine
Extension Programs
Several extension programs are offered by Iowa State University.
ISU Extension/Polk County Center
5035 N.E. 14th
St. Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 263-2660