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!
¡Bienvenida a Des Moines Prep! 💙🐎
We’re welcoming one of the newest faces on our team with DSMP Q&A, Ms. Reyes! She’s looking forward to getting to know our Trailblazers and watching just how much they grow throughout the year.
Press play to learn a few things you might not expect about our newest Spanish teacher! 👀
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DSMPQA
¡Bienvenida a Des Moines Prep! 💙🐎
We’re welcoming one of the newest faces on our team with DSMP Q&A, Ms. Reyes! She’s looking forward to getting to know our Trailblazers and watching just how much they grow throughout the year.
Press play to learn a few things you might not expect about our newest Spanish teacher! 👀
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #staffintro #DSMPQA
We’ve come so far, Trailblazers 🥹💙
#DesMoinesPrep #throwback #backtothebeginning
Giving back AND getting active! 🙌
Our students kicked off fall break a little early this past Thursday at @mealsfromtheheartland , packing meals for those in need and earning 3 hours toward their 10-hour annual community service requirement! 💙
After a morning of making a difference, they headed to the RecPlex for some well-deserved fun and activity. Not a bad way to spend a school day, if we do say so ourselves! 🎉
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #communityservice
Giving back AND getting active! 🙌
Our students kicked off fall break a little early this past Thursday at @mealsfromtheheartland , packing meals for those in need and earning 3 hours toward their 10-hour annual community service requirement! 💙
After a morning of making a difference, they headed to the RecPlex for some well-deserved fun and activity. Not a bad way to spend a school day, if we do say so ourselves! 🎉
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #communityservice
Club season is officially in session 🤝
Last Friday, students brought their best posters (and best recruiting pitches) to our Club Fair during Advisory! Plenty of ways to find your people, try something new, and make Des Moines Prep a little more yours this year. 💙
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #extracurricular
Club season is officially in session 🤝
Last Friday, students brought their best posters (and best recruiting pitches) to our Club Fair during Advisory! Plenty of ways to find your people, try something new, and make Des Moines Prep a little more yours this year. 💙
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #extracurricular
The people behind the lessons, the laughs, the lightbulb moments, and everything in between. 💙
Happy World Teachers’ Day to the incredible educators who make Des Moines Prep such a special place to learn and grow! 🐎📚
We’re pretty lucky to have this crew. 🫶
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #WorldTeachersDay #TeacherAppreciation
The people behind the lessons, the laughs, the lightbulb moments, and everything in between. 💙
Happy World Teachers’ Day to the incredible educators who make Des Moines Prep such a special place to learn and grow! 🐎📚
We’re pretty lucky to have this crew. 🫶
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #WorldTeachersDay #TeacherAppreciation
Happy Custodian Appreciation Day to the two who keep Des Moines Prep looking its best! 🧹💙
A big thank you to Ms. Larsen and Mr. Kenwabikise for everything you do around the building to keep our school clean, safe, and ready for our students every day. We appreciate you both! 👏✨
#DesMoinesPrep #custodianappreicationday
Happy Custodian Appreciation Day to the two who keep Des Moines Prep looking its best! 🧹💙
A big thank you to Ms. Larsen and Mr. Kenwabikise for everything you do around the building to keep our school clean, safe, and ready for our students every day. We appreciate you both! 👏✨
#DesMoinesPrep #custodianappreicationday
Campaign season is in full swing at Des Moines Prep! 🗳️📣
Our 9th and 10th grade iJAG students have been putting themselves out there and campaigning for a spot as an iJAG Career Association Chapter Officer!
Along the way, they’re getting real-world practice in communication, leadership, creativity, and confidence — and making a pretty convincing case for themselves while they’re at it. 👏
We love seeing our students step up, get involved, and put their leadership skills into action!
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #ijag #leadership
Campaign season is in full swing at Des Moines Prep! 🗳️📣
Our 9th and 10th grade iJAG students have been putting themselves out there and campaigning for a spot as an iJAG Career Association Chapter Officer!
Along the way, they’re getting real-world practice in communication, leadership, creativity, and confidence — and making a pretty convincing case for themselves while they’re at it. 👏
We love seeing our students step up, get involved, and put their leadership skills into action!
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #ijag #leadership
Congratulations to Bella Zelaya-Colunga on receiving the 2026 YMCA Youth Impact Award for her work with the YMCA LIT Achievers Program! 🏆
Bella is the kind of student who makes an impact far beyond the walls of her school. She leads with kindness, works incredibly hard, and uses her voice and talents to make her community better.
We talk a lot about what it means to be a Trailblazer—and Bella is showing us exactly what that can look like. We are so proud 💙
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #Trailblazers #studentlife #TrailblazerPride
Congratulations to Bella Zelaya-Colunga on receiving the 2026 YMCA Youth Impact Award for her work with the YMCA LIT Achievers Program! 🏆
Bella is the kind of student who makes an impact far beyond the walls of her school. She leads with kindness, works incredibly hard, and uses her voice and talents to make her community better.
We talk a lot about what it means to be a Trailblazer—and Bella is showing us exactly what that can look like. We are so proud 💙
#DesMoinesPrep #IowaHighSchool #Trailblazers #studentlife #TrailblazerPride
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
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