Applications Open for the 2026-2027 School Year!
What is a Trailblazer?
Our Mission
Join a school focused on excellence and joy, where students develop the skills and values necessary to lead with ambition and purpose.
The Des Moines Prep Difference
Exceptional Teachers, Real Results
We hired some of the best educators in the country and we are prepared to help every student succeed. You won’t find a better quality education from a public school.
A Safe, Calm Environment
Our small high school size means every student is known and supported. We are also the only school in the city to use Evolv Express weapons detection technology to keep students out of harms way.
Real-World Learning, Real-Life Schedule
Hands-on learning through field studies and internships, plus extended campus hours and early-release Fridays to fit your family’s life.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like more details about our programs, the application process, or what makes Des Moines Prep unique our team would be happy to help. Book a time to talk to one of our staff by using the button below.
We Set Students Up for Success
40+
Hours of college exploration
2+
Number of acceptance letters each student will receive from best-fit colleges
40+
Hours of internships and job shadowing
“Students deserve a rigorous and dynamic learning environment that prepares them for an ever-changing world. Our goal is to support agency and innovation so our students develop the skills and confidence to author their own stories. I invite you to join us as we begin an exciting new chapter in Des Moines.”
Matt LakisPrincipal
Get an Inside Look and See the Trailblazer Spirit!
From social studies to reality TV, he’s got plenty of opinions to share. 📚📺
We’re catching up with one of our returning teachers, Mr. Owen, for DSMP Q&A and getting to know the person behind the classroom!
See what he’s watching, what keeps him coming back to Des Moines Prep, and more in our latest Q&A. 💙🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DSMPQA
From social studies to reality TV, he’s got plenty of opinions to share. 📚📺
We’re catching up with one of our returning teachers, Mr. Owen, for DSMP Q&A and getting to know the person behind the classroom!
See what he’s watching, what keeps him coming back to Des Moines Prep, and more in our latest Q&A. 💙🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DSMPQA
Animal lovers, aspiring authors, future storm chasers… and two of the kindest people you’ll meet at DMP. 🐾📚🌪️
We put Mrs. Egli and Mrs. Neighbors, two of our Special Education teachers, in front of the camera for 13 questions, and their answers did not disappoint.
Get to know this lovely two of three in our latest DSMP Q&A! 💙🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
Animal lovers, aspiring authors, future storm chasers… and two of the kindest people you’ll meet at DMP. 🐾📚🌪️
We put Mrs. Egli and Mrs. Neighbors, two of our Special Education teachers, in front of the camera for 13 questions, and their answers did not disappoint.
Get to know this lovely two of three in our latest DSMP Q&A! 💙🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
Consider this our latest experiment: put a science teacher in front of a camera and ask 13 questions. 🧪🎤
The results? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Meet one of our science teachers, Ms. Zrucky, in the latest edition of the DSMP Q&A series! 🔬🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #StaffIntro #DMPQA
Consider this our latest experiment: put a science teacher in front of a camera and ask 13 questions. 🧪🎤
The results? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Meet one of our science teachers, Ms. Zrucky, in the latest edition of the DSMP Q&A series! 🔬🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #StaffIntro #DMPQA
Currently at Des Moines Prep: 🏐 + 🏃♀️
Cross country miles, volleyball matches, and plenty of Trailblazer spirit in between 💙🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #StudentAthletes
Currently at Des Moines Prep: 🏐 + 🏃♀️
Cross country miles, volleyball matches, and plenty of Trailblazer spirit in between 💙🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #StudentAthletes
Okayyyy, Art class. 👀🎨
Our Trailblazers have some serious talent — and Mrs. Jones-Tweedy is giving them plenty of opportunities to show it off.
We’re only a few weeks in, and the creativity coming out of this classroom is already pretty incredible. 🖌️✨
Turns out we’ve got some artists around here. #artiststudio #artiststudiolife #trailblazers #charterschool
Okayyyy, Art class. 👀🎨
Our Trailblazers have some serious talent — and Mrs. Jones-Tweedy is giving them plenty of opportunities to show it off.
We’re only a few weeks in, and the creativity coming out of this classroom is already pretty incredible. 🖌️✨
Turns out we’ve got some artists around here. #artiststudio #artiststudiolife #trailblazers #charterschool
Please excuse us… we prioritize JOY around here!
While our high school students had the building to themselves to focus on ACT testing, our 8th graders took their learning—and a little fun—out into the community with a field trip to Blank Park Zoo!
Because school should be about working hard, exploring your community, making memories with your classmates, and having a whole lot of fun along the way.
Excellence AND Joy. We mean both. #DesMoinesPrep #CampusLife #schoolspirit #Trailblazers #charterschool #studentlife #desmoinesiowa #Discovery
Please excuse us… we prioritize JOY around here!
While our high school students had the building to themselves to focus on ACT testing, our 8th graders took their learning—and a little fun—out into the community with a field trip to Blank Park Zoo!
Because school should be about working hard, exploring your community, making memories with your classmates, and having a whole lot of fun along the way.
Excellence AND Joy. We mean both. #DesMoinesPrep #CampusLife #schoolspirit #Trailblazers #charterschool #studentlife #desmoinesiowa #Discovery
You might know her as your Spanish teacher, but her résumé has a few plot twists. 👀🌎
From living all over the place to playing Ultimate Frisbee for the Spanish National Team (!!), there’s a lot more to learn about one of our returning Trailblazers, Ms. Rohret.
13 questions. Another episode of DSMP Q&A. Let’s get into it. 🎥
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
You might know her as your Spanish teacher, but her résumé has a few plot twists. 👀🌎
From living all over the place to playing Ultimate Frisbee for the Spanish National Team (!!), there’s a lot more to learn about one of our returning Trailblazers, Ms. Rohret.
13 questions. Another episode of DSMP Q&A. Let’s get into it. 🎥
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
From college athletics to the math classroom — and he brought the jokes with him. 😂📐
Our newest math teacher, Mr. Fiddelke, is up next for DSMP Q&A! He’s excited to help students tackle the tough stuff and have a little fun along the way. 🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
From college athletics to the math classroom — and he brought the jokes with him. 😂📐
Our newest math teacher, Mr. Fiddelke, is up next for DSMP Q&A! He’s excited to help students tackle the tough stuff and have a little fun along the way. 🐎
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
There`s just ONE day left before school starts, so we wanted to check in. 💙
See you tomorrow, Trailblazers! We`re so glad to have you back. 🐎✨
There`s just ONE day left before school starts, so we wanted to check in. 💙
See you tomorrow, Trailblazers! We`re so glad to have you back. 🐎✨
She has opinions. Some of them may be controversial. 👀 What`s not controversial? She`s a great person to chat with. 💙
Our new English teacher, Ms. Edelman is taking on DSMP Q&A — and between her very specific preferences and some answers we definitely need to discuss, you’ll get to know her pretty quickly. 🎥✨
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
She has opinions. Some of them may be controversial. 👀 What`s not controversial? She`s a great person to chat with. 💙
Our new English teacher, Ms. Edelman is taking on DSMP Q&A — and between her very specific preferences and some answers we definitely need to discuss, you’ll get to know her pretty quickly. 🎥✨
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
A strong school culture starts with a strong staff culture! 💙
Last week, new and returning staff participated in our first ever retreat at Lake Rathbun.
After days spent learning, collaborating, and digging into our values of Leadership, Ownership, Academic Excellence, and Joy, we ended by putting that last one into practice — in true Trailblazer fashion. 🐎✨
A strong school culture starts with a strong staff culture! 💙
Last week, new and returning staff participated in our first ever retreat at Lake Rathbun.
After days spent learning, collaborating, and digging into our values of Leadership, Ownership, Academic Excellence, and Joy, we ended by putting that last one into practice — in true Trailblazer fashion. 🐎✨
New to DSMP and already keeping us entertained. 😂
Our Social Studies teacher, Mr. Presthus, is up next for DSMP Q&A – and let’s just say we learned a few things we definitely wouldn’t find in his lesson plans. 🎥
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
New to DSMP and already keeping us entertained. 😂
Our Social Studies teacher, Mr. Presthus, is up next for DSMP Q&A – and let’s just say we learned a few things we definitely wouldn’t find in his lesson plans. 🎥
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DMPQA
Follow Us!