Welcome to Iowa’s Largest Provider of Public Education
If you are a family new to the school district, or if you are returning to the district, you must visit the Welcome Center, 2100 Fleur Drive, to enroll your student(s).
New Welcome Center office hours
Monday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Excluding major holidays.)
The center registers students on a walk-in basis, and registration takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Required:
- Photo ID
- Proof of address (please see list of accepted documents below)
- Student’s immunization records
- Student’s birth certificate
Accepted address verification documents:
- Utility Bill or Confirmation of Services (within the last 60 days)
- Lease or notarized statement from landlord
- Purchase Agreement
- Mortgage Statement
- Polk County Assessors- print copy of web page verifying property ownership
- Property tax statement
- Vehicle registration
- DHS Paperwork
- Shelter Stay Verification
If you are residing in another person’s home, please provide a notarized statement from that person stating you and your child(ren) are living there, including their name and address, as well as one of the above approved address verification documents in their name.
If you are a family continuing with Des Moines Public Schools, click here.
Children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 15 of the school year. Children entering first grade must be six years old on or before that date. Parents or guardians must be present at the time of enrollment to furnish the child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth.
State law requires that all students enrolling in Iowa schools furnish a certificate of immunization for diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, rubella and hepatitis B. Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccination is only required for children entering preschool or day care. In addition, students who have lived in a country other than the United States within the past calendar year must provide proof of tuberculosis status before attending schools. The Mantoux test is requested.
The Des Moines Public Schools requests that all new students have a physical examination. Physicals are also requested when students enter preschool or kindergarten and third, sixth and ninth grades. Copies of the immunization and physical examination forms are available at all schools. The immunization requirement may be waived for religious reasons.
Please visit the Information & Forms page in the menu to the right to access various forms relating to school enrollment.