Admissions Criteria

DMC believes education is most powerful when it is grounded in a strong partnership with home, school, and church and that children flourish when families, educators, and faith communities work together with shared purpose and biblical unity. While our families attend more than 100 area churches, we remain united by a common commitment to the Christian faith and to the biblical convictions that shape our community. .

The following expectations reflect the spiritual partnership we seek to establish with every family. 

• At least one parent or guardian must be a professing believer in Jesus Christ and provide their written Christian testimony. It is preferred that both parents provide their written faith testimonies.
• At least one parent must be in full agreement with and willingly sign the DMC Statement of Faith. 
• At least one parent must agree to respectfully support the Schools' position and teaching on all social and doctrinal issues as defined in the DMC Biblical Convictions for Christian Education.
• Student(s) and at least one parent commit to growing in their relationship with Christ and regularly attend a church that affirms historic Christian orthodoxy (doctrine, faith, teaching, practice), consistent with the DMC Statement of Faith, through that church’s public creed, confession, core beliefs, or statement of faith. 

Des Moines Christian is committed to cultivating a Christ-centered learning community where students can grow academically, spiritually, and relationally. To help ensure each student is positioned to thrive—and that we are equipped to provide the support they need—we carefully consider each applicant's academic readiness, behavioral history, and alignment with the expectations of our school community.

The following admissions criteria help guide that process. 

• Student(s) and at least one parent must exhibit behavior, both in and out of school, that is consistent with DMC’s values: Community in Christ, Growing with Christ, and Loving like Christ. 
• Students transferring from another school are required to provide academic records. Academic records demonstrate that DMC can meet the learning needs of the student. Records also support passing grades, positive behavior, and minimal absences. To supplement the academic records, student applicants may be required to take an entrance assessment. 
• Students who have previously struggled with drugs and alcohol must have successfully completed a full year in a day school program prior to admission; including being 100% drug and alcohol free,
• Students with prior conduct infractions must have successfully completed a full year in a regular school program prior to admissions.
• DMC does not accept students recently expelled from other schools.

At Des Moines Christian, we believe a student's success is strengthened by a trusting partnership between parents and the school. That partnership is built on shared commitment, open communication, and mutual support.

As part of the admissions process, we ask families to affirm the following commitments: 

• At least one parent agrees with and supports the mission of Des Moines Christian Schools.
• At least one parent commits to support the work of Des Moines Christian through prayer, volunteering, and faithfully meeting all financial obligations.
• Parents agree to fully disclose any conduct infractions from the student's current or previous schools that resulted in disciplinary action.
• Parents agree to commit to building an ongoing partnership with their child’s teachers, coaches, and principals.