Scoop: Des Moines considers reconfiguring and closing public schools

Des Moines Public Schools is considering whether to move sixth graders from middle to elementary buildings, potentially helping the district maximize space but leading to some school closures, board chairperson Jackie Norris tells Axios.

Why it matters: The possible realignment is part of an extensive review of how to modernize classrooms, improve educational outcomes and balance finances as the district's enrollment shrinks .

• The district will likely ask voters to pass a referendum to fund updates to remaining buildings as well.

Zoom in: Not only do leaders argue a sixth grade shift could help the district use its buildings more efficiently, but research shows sixth graders perform better academically and socially when they remain in elementary school.

• The concept is already being tested at Findley Elementary , where parents of sixth graders had the option to keep their kids this year.
• More elementary schools may offer sixth grade next year, district spokesperson Phil Roeder tells Axios.

Threat level: Declining birth rates and students switching to other districts or private schools have contributed to an enrollment dip.

• The district lost more than 10% of its population between 2017-18 and last school year. Total enrollment dropped by nearly 3,400 — to 29,154 from 32,521.
• The district projects an additional loss of nearly 600 by the 2028-29 school year.

Driving the news: Grade reconfigurations were suggested in a report presented to school staff this month by the district's long-term facilities and student programming committee, Reimagining Education .

• The committee is also evaluating boundary adjustments, facility closures and consolidations.

Yes, but: The primary focus of the long-term plan is student outcomes, and it's premature to identify possible school closures, Norris said.

• Recommendations for other reconfigurations are possible, including some buildings that could be used for seventh to 12th grades, associate superintendent Matt Smith tells Axios.

By the numbers: DMPS' 38 elementary and 12 middle schools are projected to be around 65% of capacity in the 2027-28 school year; high schools are expected to be at about 86%.

• The report suggests increasing utilization to as high as 95% but notes that could lead to challenges like hallway congestion and tight parking at some facilities.

What's next: If grade reconfigurations are approved, it could take as long as a decade to complete, Norris tells Axios.

• The committee's complete recommendations will be made in the coming weeks. The school board could begin to consider them as early as January and approve a facility plan in April.
• A bond referendum to pay for facility updates could go before voters in November 2025, according to the committee report.