The Become Here Project

Graduation season is always a time of reflection, pride, and hope for what’s ahead. No moment captures that more than the words shared by our student commencement speakers. In this special episode, we’re bringing you the voices of the Class of 2026. You’ll hear speeches from the graduating seniors of East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt high schools -- students who represent the heart, dete...

This special episode features award-winning Hiatt Middle School student podcasters of the That's News to Me Crew . Having won the District-wide Middle School Podcast Competition, teacher Tonya Richards and students Kenya De La Cruz Jimenez , Chemya McGee , and Jose Calderon Galvan speak with host Amanda Lewis about their experience producing a podcast. Learn more about ⁠Reimagining Education h...

Welcome to The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools podcast. This episode is live in front of a studio audience at the Central Campus auditorium for the 2026 State of the Schools event. Amanda Lewis ' student co-host is Irene Alobo of North High School and Central Campus. Guests joining the Reimagining Education discussion are: Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen , DMPS Interim Superintende...

In the spirit of the proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," we discuss the importance of community partnerships in meeting the needs of students and families. Kayli Becker , DMPS Chief of Staff, and Jo Christine Miles , Head of Principal Foundation and Principal Community Relations, speak with Amanda Lewis of the flagship literacy partnership between Principal Financial Group and...

Central Campus is the flagship of Career & Technical Education offerings in the state, and expanding equitable CTE opportunities throughout DMPS is a pillar of the Reimagining Education plan. In this episode, we speak with Kelsie Mouchka , Interim Director of Central Campus, and Tasha Brown , Districtwide Director of Career & Technical Education and Post-secondary Readiness. Don't miss...

We're covering the most important things to know heading into the 2025-2026 school year. Our list includes exciting changes for every grade level and for families connecting with schools. Our guests include school and district leaders with the information you need to be "in the know." Learn more at dmschools.org . Come Here. Become Here. Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Reimagining Education at Des Moines Public Schools means providing the best educational choices to prepare all students for successful futures. Listen in as Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts and Associate Superintendent Matt Smith present the vision and details of Reimagining Education during a press conference held at North High School July 17th. Come Here. Become Here. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠...

High school graduation is a proud milestone for students and families. A diploma represents achievement, perseverance, and the start of a new journey. But what if that diploma carried even greater value? What if it reflected not just the completion of high school but also a student’s unique strengths, passions, and future goals? That’s the idea behind Diploma+ , a new program at Des Moines Public...

Graduation season is always a time of reflection, pride, and hope for what’s ahead. No moment captures that more than the words shared by our student commencement speakers. In this special episode, we’re bringing you the voices of the Class of 2025. You’ll hear speeches from the graduating seniors of East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt high schools -- students who represent the heart, dete...

Three DMPS schools have earned the prestigious ⁠RAMP⁠ designation from the ⁠American School Counselor Association⁠ (ASCA), and ⁠East High School⁠ is receiving the Program of Promise Award. Let’s explore what these awards mean and why they matter. Joining the discussion is Erin Kruger Cavazos , the K-12 Counseling Coordinator at DMPS, Mike Freund , a school counselor from East High School, and Barb...

Three DMPS schools have earned the prestigious RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and East High School is receiving the Program of Promise Award. Let’s explore what these awards mean and why they matter. Joining the discussion is Erin Kruger Cavazos , the K-12 Counseling Coordinator at DMPS, Mike Freund , a school counselor from East High School, and Barbara Ho...

This episode is a live recording from the 2025 DMPS State of the Schools event held in the North High School auditorium on February 11, 2025. Reimagining Education at Des Moines Public Schools means providing the best education choices to prepare all students for successful futures. This multi-year plan calls for major changes and improvements to enhance support for the educational outcomes of stu...

The DMPS Foundation exists to provide direct financial support for teacher requests — whether it’s for decodable books to enhance literacy, gardening supplies to foster hands-on learning, or outdoor murals that inspire creativity and pride in their schools. We know that teachers go above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences for their students. The Foundation is here to help. Host A...

Iowa School Performance Profile Shows 16 DMPS Schools Improve Categorization Since Last Year From growth and proficiency in various subject areas to school attendance to high school graduation, many important factors go into looking at the growth and success of students and schools. In Iowa, the  Iowa School Performance Profile  (ISPP) serves as an important measurement of the state’s public schoo...

Options Academy is a program for Des Moines Public Schools students who need a new path to their high school diploma. Options students earn their diploma by finishing their credit requirements through self-paced classes and/or HiSET exams. In addition to a personalized teaching and learning plan for each student, Options Academy also provides students with career coaching and post secondary opport...

Paid summer apprenticeships at Central Campus are giving students the opportunity to learn and earn at the same time. Host Amanda Lewis speaks with student apprentices Addison Stone and Barrett Weispfenning , and Central Campus Associate Principal Kelsie Mouchka about their apprenticeship experiences during the 2024 summer. Come Here. Become Here. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dmschools.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instag...

The data is clear, " Preschool should be important to everyone in the community ," says Early Childhood Programs Director, Kristin Rourke. Tune in to learn "why." New this year, transportation is available for students who qualify for our 2024-25 school year pilot program, Pleasant Hill Elementary introduces a Montessori preschool program, and more! Preschool is an exciting tim...

In this special episode of The Become Here Project, a Des Moines Public Schools Podcast and we dive into five important things to know before heading back to school on Monday, August 26! We are aiming to keep you informed and get you ready for the 2024-25 school year by keeping our interviews to five minutes each. Five new things to expect this Fall at DMPS: · Learning more about the Reimagining E...

DMPS is so honored to co-host the 2024 National Speech & Debate Association Tournament as more than 6,700 students from across the country are in the Des Moines metro! We took our podcast on the road this week to talk with Roosevelt High School principal Steven Schappaugh and East High School senior Christopher Ramirez-Chavez about what it means to host and compete in this major event, and why...

We are celebrating the graduation of more than 2,000 DMPS students – members of the Class of 2024 on this episode of The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools podcast. In this episode, we listen in on segments as some of the high school Valedictorians and Class Speakers as they share stories and advice with their fellow classmates.  (00:33) North High : Valedictorian, Genesis Trujillo-L...

Findley Elementary will not only become a Montessori school during the 2024-25 school year but current fifth grade students will also have the option to stay at Findley for 6th grade. The pilot program means more options for students and an opportunity to observe the potential benefits of adding 6th grade at other elementary schools. In this month's The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public...

Every Day Matters isn’t just a slogan, it’s a fundamental truth about education. Every school day is a building block to the next. The absence of these building blocks creates holes in learning that may cause a student to fall behind and impact their readiness for the next grade level. Learn about the potentially devastating effects of chronic absenteeism and the benefits of making a habit of atte...

Central Campus Marine Biology students move among tanks of creatures from the ocean each day during their classes, caring for animals they would have to travel far to see in the wild. Despite the landlocked nature of our state, these students dream about careers exploring, investigating, and preserving our world’s oceans and their inhabitants. Nine of Dr. Gregory Barord’s students recently earned...

Episode seven is a recorded Q&A session live from the 2024 State of the Schools event in the Hoover High School auditorium featuring Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts, DMPS Board Chair Jackie Norris, and co-hosted by student journalist. Watch the video of the address and podcast recording by clicking here . Come Here. Become Here. ⁠dmschools.org⁠ . Follow DMPS: ⁠Instagram⁠ , ⁠Flickr⁠ , ⁠Facebook⁠...

Des Moines Public Schools is beginning an important project to make plans for the future of our district’s facilities and infrastructure. This effort is to not only look at our school buildings and campus but to reimagine what education can and should be for our students moving into the future. Amanda Lewis speaks with Associate Superintendent Matt Smith about these groundbreaking efforts. The end...