Academics

Welcome to DMC!

Des Moines Christian School is committed to academic excellence and our mission remains central in all teaching and learning activities from early education through high school.  We focus on the formation of the whole child--heart, soul, and mind--ultimately fulfilling the command Jesus places before us in Matthew 22, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 

DMC is unique as we have all students on one campus that grows with your child.  We have a continuous learning plan for your child beginning as early as age two all the way through high school graduation.

Portrait of a Graduate

Des Moines Christian students are equipped to reflect our Portrait of a Graduate. We desire for each student to develop the following characteristics:

  • Servant-Hearted Leader
  • Critical Thinkers and Effective Communicator
  • Accomplished Learner
  • Passionate Apprentice of Christ

Our Vision for Learning

DMC’s strategic academic plan embraces our comprehensive program for children as young as age 2 until their graduation, and intentionally focuses on key areas to deepen student learning.

  • Faculty that know your child and introduce activities that enhance cognitive capacity Teachers infuse levels of cognitive thinking into lessons and equip students to infer, analyze, summarize, organize, hypothesize, and describe their thinking. When visiting a DMC classroom, you may see inquiry-based learning, labs and experiments, group discussion, or guided reading.

  • Instruction that puts the child first. Faculty are trained in child development strategies to ensure every child is known, individually, and encouraged to grow to his or her fullest potential. Children grow and thrive in a healthy way due to the intentionally favorable environment created by faculty, a key factor in developing student identity and purpose.

  • Formational learning experiences that engage students in real-world opportunities to impact the world for Christ. At the heart of learning at Des Moines Christian School is the foundation of forming a biblical worldview in children of all ages. Whether learning to be good stewards through recycling, loving neighbors through community service, or seeking to make disciples through mission work, children fuel a passion for seeing God’s kingdom spread in our local community and beyond.

Professional Faculty

Student achievement is impacted when there is passionate and inspired teaching. Faculty consistently demonstrate the value in being a lifelong learner for students and colleagues as they pursue various opportunities to grow in their profession. With significant funding for professional development, DMC teachers are able to attend state and national conferences in best practices, pursue masters degrees to hone skills as an educator, and lead peers in research based strategies during teacher in service or through mentoring opportunities. The commitment to learning develops teachers who are credible, competent, prepared, and able to nurture children’s hearts and minds.
Student Support
Our Christ-centered student support system is achieved through collaboration between home, school, and community partners. DMC supports students’ learning, behavior and social-emotional needs through an EE-12 system that seeks to see each student flourish. 

Faculty are equipped with best practices in how to deepen learning through classroom instruction, classroom management, and social-emotional strategies to best respond to and meet student needs. In addition to classroom faculty, resource and extended learning teachers, as well as K-12 counselors support our students. DMC also has on-site partnerships with Heartland Area Education Agency and Heartland Christian Counseling Services.    
A Life on Purpose, for His Purpose

Our DMC curriculum includes “Purposed Mindset” an intentional tool used to foster an environment in which children become confident and secure in their identity as a child of God so that, as adolescents, they passionately pursue their God-given purpose. “Purposed Mindset” guides how we work with others to build relationships, realizing we each have different strengths and ways in processing the world around us.