High Schools Go “Live” with New Web Sites

High schools in Des Moines all have new online homes, thanks to on-going work to upgrade and improve web sites for all schools throughout Iowa’s largest district.

“Our goal in developing new web sites was to find the right balance between a consistent look and function combined with the unique identity of each school,” said Phil Roeder, director of community relations for Des Moines Public Schools. “With more than 8,000 high school students in Des Moines – and thousands of parents, staff and alumni – we want the virtual front door of our five high schools to be a welcoming experience.”

The new high school web sites are modeled on the new DMPS web site unveiled last December (www.dmschools.org). Each is designed in the school’s colors and feature prominent news updates, announcements, a school calendar, and more on the home page. The new web sites also feature a shorter and easier to remember addresses which can be accessed at the following URLs: 

In addition, the high school web sites utilize eChalk, a K-12 software platform used to manage communication and instruction. It enables educators to keep parents and students up-to-date with class information. In addition, eChalk is integrated with both the district’s Infinite Campus and Office 365 platforms, allowing for interaction with students using safe and secure email, online class discussions, and more.

“As our new high school web sites continue to grow and evolve, they will become an important link between students, teachers and families, serving as a collaborative use of technology to support the education of our students,” added Dan Warren, director of information technology for Des Moines Public Schools.