For more than a year, parents, students, educators, and community leaders have come together to ReImagine Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). This initiative is more than just a plan—it’s a movement to create a destination district that offers every student access to world-class education, immersive learning experiences, and equitable opportunities to succeed.
On February 11, 2025, Superintendent Ian Roberts and Associate Superintendent Matt Smith unveiled the Reimagining Education plan at the DMPS State of the Schools. This proposal, shaped by months of research, community engagement, and data analysis, focuses on:
✅ Expanding access to early childhood education
✅ Redesigning middle school experiences to enhance career and technical learning
✅ Developing interest-based Signature Schools that offer specialized education pathways
✅ Investing in state-of-the-art facilities to support extracurricular activities, arts, and athletics
✅ Ensuring resources are allocated equitably so that all students, regardless of background, can thrive
Why This Matters to Everyone
We know that education is the foundation of opportunity. Whether you have children in DMPS or not, the strength of our schools shapes the future of our workforce, economy, and community. These young people are our shared responsibility. They can be our city’s greatest asset—or the victims of a system that fails them.
At the NAACP Des Moines Branch, we believe that educational equity is a fundamental civil right. Our advocacy is rooted in ensuring that Black and marginalized students receive the high-quality education, fair resources, and supportive learning environments they deserve. This plan moves us in the right direction—but it’s up to us to make sure it fully delivers on its promise.
No Plan is Perfect—Help Make It Better
We have an incredible opportunity to shape the final version of this proposal before it moves forward. Your input is critical. Whether you have a student in DMPS or simply care about the future of education in our city, your voice can help refine and strengthen the plan.
How to Get Involved
📢 Attend a Community Conversation:
📍 Thursday, February 27 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Online
📍 Friday, February 28 | 8:30–10:30 AM | Plymouth Church (English & Spanish)
📍 Saturday, March 1 | 9:00–11:00 AM | Lincoln High School (English & Spanish)
📝 Can’t attend? Complete the online survey HERE.
The Time to Act is Now
Education should be a pathway, not a barrier. If we want a future where every child in Des Moines has access to the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed, we must advocate, engage, and push for equitable and innovative solutions.
Join us in shaping the future of DMPS. Together, we can build a school system that truly makes the most for the least of us, providing opportunities that past generations of students could have only dreamed of.
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