Des Moines Public Schools Early Childhood Programs Preschool
1000 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315
About
Des Moines Public Schools Early Childhood Programs Preschool offers students access to a literacy and vocabulary rich curriculum that is supported by research and uses evidence-based practices. Formative and summative assessment results are used to guide large group, small group, and individualized instruction for enrolled children.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The mission of Des Moines Public Schools Early Childhood Programs is to provide quality learning experiences to promote growth of young children and their families, while adhering to state and national program standards to work toward Kindergarten Readiness. All early childhood programs in Des Moines Public Schools, regardless of how they are funded, are under the same leadership, and staff in each program follow the same policies and procedures, receive the same professional development, and use the same curriculum and assessments. Programs are described as being held to high standards and are more alike than different.
The program includes a family support services model that offers a continuum of services at the program-wide, building, classroom, and individual student and family level, including parent education, family engagement, case management, problem solving, and mental health consultation. Support from an interdisciplinary team is provided based on the needs of the student and family. Early Childhood Special Education services are available for eligible children three to five years of age, with a continuum of services tailored to individual student needs, including integrated classroom settings with Head Start and Universal Preschool, as well as self-contained programming. ECSE classrooms are located in comprehensive schools and in Des Moines Public Schools Early Learning Centers.
Universal preschool is a state-funded program that offers voluntary access to preschool education for the state’s 4-year-olds. Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child development program that serves income-eligible children ages 3 to 5 and their families, and the Des Moines Head Start program operates as a delegate of the Drake University Head Start program. Cowles Montessori School provides both a full-day and morning-only preschool option for 3- and 4-year-old children, and Pleasant Hill Elementary offers a full-day Montessori preschool for 4-year-old children. In these Montessori settings, educators serve as guides and facilitators and focus on fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment where children can explore, collaborate, and learn from both successes and challenges.
Des Moines Public Schools works with several community partners to provide additional preschool locations. Free school bus transportation is available for students who live within school boundaries and more than 1.5 miles from the school, and this free transportation option is noted as new for the current year. Des Moines Public Schools also uses Nutrislice to share detailed breakfast and lunch menu information for all of their schools.
Last updated February 6, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The mission of Des Moines Public Schools Early Childhood Programs is to provide quality learning experiences to promote growth of young children and their families, while adhering to state and national program standards to work toward Kindergarten Readiness. All early childhood programs in Des Moines Public Schools, regardless of how they are funded, are under the same leadership, and staff in each program follow the same policies and procedures, receive the same professional development, and use the same curriculum and assessments. Programs are described as being held to high standards and are more alike than different.
The program includes a family support services model that offers a continuum of services at the program-wide, building, classroom, and individual student and family level, including parent education, family engagement, case management, problem solving, and mental health consultation. Support from an interdisciplinary team is provided based on the needs of the student and family. Early Childhood Special Education services are available for eligible children three to five years of age, with a continuum of services tailored to individual student needs, including integrated classroom settings with Head Start and Universal Preschool, as well as self-contained programming. ECSE classrooms are located in comprehensive schools and in Des Moines Public Schools Early Learning Centers.
Universal preschool is a state-funded program that offers voluntary access to preschool education for the state’s 4-year-olds. Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive child development program that serves income-eligible children ages 3 to 5 and their families, and the Des Moines Head Start program operates as a delegate of the Drake University Head Start program. Cowles Montessori School provides both a full-day and morning-only preschool option for 3- and 4-year-old children, and Pleasant Hill Elementary offers a full-day Montessori preschool for 4-year-old children. In these Montessori settings, educators serve as guides and facilitators and focus on fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment where children can explore, collaborate, and learn from both successes and challenges.
Des Moines Public Schools works with several community partners to provide additional preschool locations. Free school bus transportation is available for students who live within school boundaries and more than 1.5 miles from the school, and this free transportation option is noted as new for the current year. Des Moines Public Schools also uses Nutrislice to share detailed breakfast and lunch menu information for all of their schools.
Last updated February 6, 2026.
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