New Des Moines charter school is accepting students
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Rendering: Courtesy of Des Moines Prep
Des Moines Prep, a new charter high school, is set to open this fall at the former Two Rivers Marketing location.
Why it matters: The East Village school will be among a growing number of alternatives to traditional public schools in the state, though critics say they divert public funds away from school districts.
Flashback: Charter schools, which are tuition-free, have grown in Iowa since a 2021 law loosened restrictions to open them.
- A total of 15 new charter schools have been approved since the law changed. They receive public funds based on student enrollment, IPR reports.
Driving the news: Des Moines Prep will open with 150 ninth grade students and expand each year until it serves all high school grades, says Matt Lakis, the school's principal.
- Opportunity Education, a nonprofit out of Omaha, Nebraska, is behind the charter school. The group operates schools in Nebraska and California and plans to open charter schools in Cedar Rapids and Davenport.
Zoom in: Des Moines Prep guarantees each student will participate in career-preparation programs and graduate with at least two college acceptance letters, Lakis says.
- He formerly worked as a teacher and associate principal at Roosevelt High School.
Context: Gov. Kim Reynolds has praised charter schools as another way to provide more education options for families.
- Meanwhile, Democrats and public school advocates have argued they lack oversight.
- Lakis says Des Moines Prep is a "complement" to existing public schools in the area and must submit annual reports to the state about academic performance, graduation rates and finances.
What's next: Applications are open until March 14 for the 2025-26 school year.
