Des Moines Public Schools Will Redraw Attendance Boundaries

The district has proposed a new three-region map that will take effect for the 2028-29 school year.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Administration

Isometric editorial illustration of three interlocking geometric blocks representing municipal district zones, rendered in muted teal and cream. — Des Moines Public Schools has unveiled a proposal to reorganize the district into three attendance regions by the 2028-29 academic year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support changing school attendance boundaries in your district to improve educational planning?

Des Moines Public Schools presented a plan on September 23, 2026, to divide the district into Northeast, Northwest, and South attendance regions. These proposed boundary changes are scheduled to be implemented starting in the 2028-29 school year.

Why it matters

This initiative, part of the district's Reimagining Education program, aims to address long-term facility usage and educational distribution. Officials are gathering community feedback to finalize a plan that balances school populations while protecting current student continuity.

The district has introduced three distinct map options for the new attendance areas. A legacy provision will allow current students to remain at their existing schools until they reach the next educational level.

The players

Des Moines Public Schools

This is the primary public school district serving the capital city of Iowa.

Merrill Middle School

This institution served as the site for the initial public forum regarding the district's redistricting proposal.

The details

District representatives outlined the changes at a public forum held at Merrill Middle School to solicit community input. The proposal focuses on optimizing attendance boundaries, signature schools, and maker spaces as part of the broader Reimagining Education initiative.

September 23, 2026: The first progress update meeting was held at Merrill Middle School.
September 24, 2026: A public meeting is scheduled at Weeks Middle School.
September 28, 2026: A public meeting is scheduled at Goodrell Middle School.
October 2026: The school board will vote on the final boundary plan.
2028-29 school year: New boundary lines will officially take effect.

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Culture Shift

The boundary adjustment is a direct component of the Reimagining Education initiative, which seeks to modernize school facilities and programming. This shift reflects a broader trend among urban school districts attempting to optimize infrastructure and resources in the face of changing enrollment patterns.

Families can expect changes to their assigned school zones once the plan is adopted for the 2028-29 academic year. Current students will be able to utilize a legacy provision to complete their time at their current schools, easing the transition process for many households.

The takeaway

Residents should participate in the upcoming public forums at Weeks and Goodrell Middle Schools to provide feedback on the proposed map options. Engaging with these sessions early is the best way for families to understand how the new boundaries might influence their future school assignments.