We Are Ankeny

Discover why more families are choosing Ankeny Schools' Transitional Kindergarten program. Listen to our latest podcast and learn what it means to be #TKStrong  with Ankeny Asst. Principal Ken Vacek, TK teacher Nicole Vortherms, Director of Elementary Education Tara Owen & Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt.

The next generation of leaders isn't waiting for the future. Northview students share how attending the 2026 Student Voice Symposium in West Des Moines challenged them to think bigger, speak up, and lead with purpose. 

Scholarships. Classroom grants. Big impact for Ankeny students. Dr. Erick Pruitt talks with Executive Board Director Sarah Barthole and board members Barb Kesterson and Jen Cross on the newest episode of Let’s Talk About It as they share how the Ankeny Community School Foundation has supported Ankeny Schools for 25 years — and how the Golf Fore Education on June 25 impacts their mission.

This show highlights the stories of two Before & After School (B/ASP) student participants who came full circle to become program employees. Dr. Erick Pruitt hosts Nancy Jeffs, B/ASP Manager; Mason VanderWaal, who attended B/ASP as an elementary student and now works in the program as a high school student; and Nyah Rouse, who joined B/ASP at summer camp, then as an employee in high school. Sh...

You hear the music. You feel the energy. Ankeny’s band directors, Scott Hook, Jennifer Williams, Janelle Hook, and Kelly Weber, share stories from marching band and color guard to the full instrumental music experience. In our latest podcast, it’s a conversation about confidence, leadership, and student growth. 

Madisen Gaskin, Ankeny Schools' Family & Community Engagement Manager, brings together guests from the Kirkendall Library, Ankeny Parks & Recreation, and the Uptown Ankeny Association to share real ideas on ways kids and families can stay learning, active, and connected this summer. 

Curious about how Ankeny plans for a bright future? Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt’s March update dives into school finance and budget planning. In just under 5 minutes, get the latest on how we’re working to support every student and school. Watch now!

Dr. Erick Pruitt sits down with local non-profit leaders Amy Ratekin and Ako Abdul-Samad. From powerful personal stories to practical advice, this conversation explores how belonging, support, & courage help turn potential into purpose. 

Big changes are coming this spring at Northview MS! 🚧 We’re adding 178 new parking spots for Northview and Ankeny Stadium, and getting ready for the Innovative Secondary Center. Guests include: Dr. Darin Haack, Asst Superintendent, J.D. Hunter, Northview Middle School Principal, and Mike Maddalozzo, Director of Operations for Ankeny Schools. They will share updates and answer your questions about...

Recently, our Ankeny Schools' Action Team Committees launched important work focused on the future of learning in our district.  On the podcast, we’re joined by educators Heidi Reichart, a middle school computer science teacher, and Mike Mertz, career exploration development teacher at Orbis. They serve on the 9–12 Programming Action Team and share the work ahead.

Life after high school includes understanding how to pay for it. So, let's talk about FAFSA and ISAVE 529 with guests, Alicia Callannan, deputy treasurer for the State of Iowa, Erick Danielson of ICAN Succeed, and Lauren Riley, an Ankeny parent sharing her experience planning for the future of her three children.

Starting school can bring questions, especially when your child needs extra support. Hear directly from the leaders who guide special education across our district and in their school buildings. Joining Dr. Pruitt are Nancy Lehman, Director of Special Education; Michael Schweinberg, Associate Principal at Centennial High School, and Chelsey Schroeder, Assistant Principal at Crocker Elementary Scho...

These students think fast, and today they’re talking even faster. Dr. Pruitt hosts Quiz Bowl team members for a conversation full of laughs and strategy. Guests: Eli Pattee, William Peterson, Nolan Gentry, Gabriella Williams, and Coach Mr. Nathan Coombes.

A new way of teaching. A renewed love for reading. A revolution in how students learn. Listen in as the Literacy Leadership team explains evidence-based "The Science of Reading", the “why” behind Ankeny’s Reading Revolution , and what it means for students in every classroom.

Heritage Elementary students stepped in as podcast hosts and put Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt in the hot seat.  From “road trip or airplane?” to “graphic novel or chapter book?” these Hot Takes led to fun debates, laughs, and even a few surprises. 

Ankeny  Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt has a Q&A session with Dr. Darin Haack, Samantha Aukes, and Eric Brown. They tackle questions sent in by community members about the $130 million G.O. Bond from why the funds won't be used to increase teacher salaries, to how passing the bond directly impacts future grade reconfiguration. Real questions—and real answers—about the implications of what pas...

Ankeny’s middle school secretaries are more than front office staff—they’re navigators. Host Sarah Murphy talks with Jill Vandeloo (Northview MS) and Renee Kester (Parkview MS) about what makes these years unique, how the student–front office relationship shifts , and the introduction of ParentSquare to the District.

We're kicking off 25-26 with the TRUE multitasking heroes of the elementary buildings - our secretaries! Join host Sarah Murphy as she chats with Emily Marusiak (Abbie Grove), Jessica Ponto (Terrace Learning Center), Missy Butcher (Prairie Trail), and Becky Like (Ashland Ridge).  From student records to front office smiles, hear what they do to make the first week run smoothly, and how families, v...

Are you curious about how the 2025 G.O. Bond benefits your student's activities? Activities Directors Mike Bakker (AHS) and Nate Lingren (CHS) are on our latest podcast! They discuss the positive impact the bond will have on stage technology, fine art classroom expansions, and relief for overcrowded spaces with athletic performance centers. Listen to us on your favorite podcast streaming service o...

Ankeny Schools is committed to building the next generation of leaders. Today's guests, students Josalie Buban, Quincee Hansen, Cherop Kipruto, Zina Ishibwammi, and Kayci Piva, with Northview Middle School team member Renee Potts, share their experience at the Student Voice Symposium, where they and 50 other Ankeny high school and middle school students built on their advocacy, civic engagement, a...

Dr. Pruitt breaks down the G.O. (General Obligation) Bond. He and his guests explain the process of getting the bond on the ballot for a vote, and the academic and facility school projects it will pay for. Learn about the rules surrounding bonds, including what school officials can and can't say in support of the bond, and how the funds are required to be used. It's a great way to understand how A...

This episode breaks down how our public school funding works — where the money comes from and how we’re allowed to budget those funds. As Ankeny Schools collects petition signatures for a 2025 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond, Dr. Pruitt, CFO Eric Brown, and Chief Communications Officer Samantha Aukes as they explain why it’s never as simple as sharing the bottom line. For more information, visit An...

Have you heard of Ankeny School's Long-Range 10-Year Academic and Facility Plan ?  Get the big picture in this first episode of a new series on this plan with Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt and Assistant Superintendents Dr. Amy Dittmar and Dr. Darin Haack. Know why it matters and what’s ahead. Future episodes will cover school funding, proposed facilities, the General Obligation Bond, and more.  ...

It's the final installment of the Nourishing Schools series. Dr. Pruitt finds out nothing is off-topic when you have 9th graders on the mic. Brandon, Destinee, and Aniyah prove that giving back is not just about building resumes and share what brought them to volunteer at the Northview Middle School food pantry and what motivates them to continue. 

Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and kindergarten are the topics in this episode. Joining Dr. Pruitt are Sheila Schmidt, Principal of Terrace Learning Center Preschool; Tara Owen, Executive Director of Elementary Education for Ankeny Schools; and Kelli Olson Babcock, a dedicated transitional kindergarten teacher in the Ankeny School District as they answer the questions they get from parents...