Top 8 Best Special Needs Schools in West Des Moines, Iowa (2026)

AlRazi Academy combines Iowa academic standards with Arabic, Quran, and Islamic studies at its West Des Moines school. The private academy offers preschool, elementary grades 1–6, middle grades 7–8, and a summer program, pairing academic instruction with character education and leadership.

• Religious school
• Private school

Cirque Wonderland Studios offers movement and circus arts classes for children and young people. Students can try aerial and acrobatic equipment, balance and coordination activities, and circus props such as hoops and stilts. Our Ninja Circus class is designed for ages 7–13 and combines skill practice with games and obstacle-course activities at the West Des Moines studio.

• Dance school
• Private school

Crossroads Park Elementary serves 547 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in West Des Moines. About 12% of our students are English learners and 13% receive special education services, and Tiger Cubs Preschool is part of our school community. Each year opens with daily morning meetings built on our PBIS expectations: be engaged, careful, respectful and prepared. A school counselor works with teachers and families on academic and social-emotional needs. As part of West Des Moines Community Schools, our students have access to district special education, gifted and talented services, and the ESOL program, which offers newcomer support, English classes, and team teaching. Students who need ESOL services at another building receive free transportation.

• Public elementary school
• Gifted and talented
• PBIS
• Public school

Jordan Creek Elementary School opened in West Des Moines in 1992, and for its first year it shared the building with Phenix Elementary families and carried the name Phenix-Jordan Creek. The school was built alongside the city library and City Hall, and its classrooms are arranged like pinwheels in family groups around a central open media center. Today we serve more than 550 students from preschool through sixth grade as part of West Des Moines Community Schools. Our Tiger Cubs Preschool offers morning and afternoon half-day sessions built on play, learning centers, outdoor time and small groups. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade attend art, music, PE and library each week, and our counselor teaches classroom lessons. Fourth graders can join the strings program, which uses an adapted Suzuki method, and fifth graders can add band. Breakfast and lunch are served at school, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports set shared expectations in every classroom. Our parent and faculty club runs chess club, a Challenge of the Books reading club for grades 4 to 6, the book fair and a backpack food program.

• Public elementary school (PreK-6)
• Strings program (Suzuki-based)
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Public school

STEAM STARZ is dedicated to fostering a love for learning in children from Pre-K through 6th grade, particularly those with unique educational needs. The school’s core mission is to integrate the arts into STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—through engaging programs that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Offering a variety of enrichment activities, including summer camps and after-school clubs, STEAM STARZ creates an inclusive environment where students can thrive. Each program utilizes hands-on projects to stimulate inquiry and problem-solving skills, ensuring that every child feels empowered in their learning journey. What sets STEAM STARZ apart is its commitment to community involvement; programs are held in accessible locations such as parks and community centers, fostering partnerships with local schools and providing comprehensive coaching services to enhance instructional practices. This focus on collaboration and personalized support helps cultivate a nurturing atmosphere that values each child's unique abilities while preparing them for future successes in a rapidly evolving world.

• Education center
• Private school

Stilwell Junior High School is home to 652 7th and 8th graders and 86 staff members in West Des Moines Community Schools. About 13% of our students receive special education services and about 10% are English learners. Students are organized into teams, so each group of students works with the same set of teachers as a smaller community within the building. For core classes, families choose between two paths: a project-based option that builds writing, speaking, teamwork and leadership skills, or a more traditional approach. Positive Behavior Intervention Support guides schoolwide expectations, and two school counselors and a school nurse support students during the day. Through I-CARE, students spend one study hall a week for a semester on service projects for local nonprofits, such as animal rescues and food pantries, without missing class. Our After the Bell Homework Club offers a snack and extra help after school. Debate and Mock Trial are geared mainly to gifted and talented students. Other options include student leadership, yearbook, student librarians, arts and athletics.

• Public junior high school (7-8)
• Project-based learning
• Service learning
• Public school

The Art Spot on 25th is a nurturing and vibrant children's art studio located in West Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to fostering creativity and self-expression among young artists. Catering to preschoolers through eighth graders, the school's core mission is to provide an inclusive environment where children can explore their artistic talents while developing essential skills. The Art Spot offers a range of programs including preschool art enrichment classes designed for ages 4-5, as well as engaging summer art camps that run from June to August. These programs emphasize creativity, school readiness, and fun, allowing children to unleash their inner artist through hands-on activities. What sets The Art Spot apart is its commitment to individualized attention, supported by a low student-teacher ratio that ensures each child receives personalized guidance. Additionally, the studio cultivates strong partnerships with families, creating a community atmosphere that enhances the learning experience. Unique offerings such as birthday parties tailored around artistic themes further enrich the experience for children and their families. With a focus on creativity and personal growth, The Art Spot on 25th stands out as a premier destination for young artists in the community.

• Art school
• Private school

Every one of our roughly 720 students at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School is a ninth grader. West Des Moines Community Schools built the building at 625 South 35th Street around that first year of high school, giving students a fresh start and a place to begin building a record for Valley High School and beyond, with a staff of 93. Our teachers plan lessons for the specific needs of ninth graders, pairing academic challenge with support and character development. Our values, the Tradition of the Tiger, stand for thoughtfulness, integrity, grit, empathy and respect, and we use the PBIS framework to reward positive behavior and support students who need help. Students earn points they can spend on Valley gear in our school store or on raffles. Special education services, English learner support and a counseling office are part of the school. Students can try out for cheerleading or the 9th grade dance team, or join FCA, intramurals, mock trial, yearbook, synchronized swimming, weight lifting, student leadership, Silver Cord service and the S.W.A.G. student ambassador group. Breakfast is served each morning before classes start.

• Public freshman high school (grade 9)
• Ninth grade academy
• PBIS
• Public school