New School Year Begins Wednesday at Downtown, Edmunds Schools

Schools that follow an alternate yearly calendar — The Downtown School, 1800 Grand Ave., and Edmunds School, 1601 Crocker St., — will start the new school year on Wednesday, August 15.

Edmunds joins Downtown for the first time this year in using an alternate calendar. Students at both schools have a six-week break in the summer and week-long breaks in October, February and May.

Most Des Moines schools will return on August 22. The district’s three continuous year calendar schools – Capitol View, Moulton, and River Woods – began the 2012-13 school year on July 11.

The Downtown School, where students learn in multi-age classrooms, will begin its second year being located on the first floor of Central Campus. Five-year-old students new to the school are invited to attend “First Night of School” tonight from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. tonight.

“Tonight is an excellent opportunity for new students to visit their classroom, meet their teacher and make new friends,” said John Johnson, principal of Downtown School. “This is also an excellent opportunity for them to bring their school supplies and backpacks to school.” 

A brand new school is currently being constructed for Edmunds Elementary next to the current site with an anticipated opening in fall 2013. Edmunds serves students in grades K-5.

“This year Edmunds will begin following an alternate calendar and the progress on our new building is amazing,” said David Perrigo, principal of Edmunds Elementary School. “We are extremely excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for our students, families and staff for the 2012-13 school year.”

Classes begin at 8:15 a.m. and there will be a 90-minute early dismissal on Wednesday at both schools.