Des Moines Christian High School
Encyclopedia
Des Moines Christian School opened in 1948 on the campus of First Federated Church in Des Moines, Iowa
, United States. In 1980, the school moved to the former Franklin Junior High School building, and in 1983 added ninth grade
. In 1988, the State of Iowa granted accreditation to grades 7 through 12 (the elementary had already been accredited).
to pray and consider establishing a private Christian school in the Des Moines area. It was decided to elect an evangelical school board, adopt a constitution, and formulate bylaws for a parent-inspired school. In 2006 the school moved to its current location in Urbandale, Iowa.
department, which included 9th through 12 grades. In 1987, Des Moines Christian School graduated twenty-nine students in its first senior high graduation ceremony. In January 1988, Des Moines Christian became accredited from the State of Iowa for grades 7-12 (the elementary had previously received accreditation.) In September 1995, they received accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International
(ACSI). In the fall of 2005, Des Moines Christian School moved out of the rented space at First Federated Church and into their own facility in Urbandale, a suburb on the west side of Des Moines.
and Pleasant Valley, Iowa
. He also has 18 years of experience as a school administrator – serving as an Associate Principal, Principal, and Superintendent. He has earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Educational Administration at Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman State University) in Missouri and the University of Iowa
, respectively. Most recently, he has served as Principal of Urbandale High School (1992–2000) and Superintendent of Des Moines Christian School (2000 to present). Dr. Stouffer also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Leadership department at Drake University
, and he has served on the Board of Directors for several area non-profit organizations.
. He began his career in education by teaching secondary language arts in the Cedar Valley and Floyd Valley School Districts. After receiving his first Master’s degree in counseling from Northwest Missouri State University
, Mr. Steddom worked in elementary school settings and in private practice, counseling children and adolescents. It was during this time that he initiated the first Character Counts! program in the state of Iowa. His second Master’s degree and Superintendent Licensure in educational administration have enabled him to serve successfully as assistant principal in the Urbandale and Newton school districts, as well as attempting to open a private school of his own design, prior to coming to Des Moines Christian School in the 2000-2001 school year as Secondary Principal. Mr. Steddom is an active member of Valley Church in West Des Moines in a number of leadership roles, once serving as Superintendent of Children’s Ministries.
in the Twin Cities. In addition, he graduated from Northwestern with a Middle School Social Studies Minor, and Kindergarten Endorsement. He has also earned his Iowa Coaching Endorsement through Heartland AEA. This fall, Mr. Lambert will receive his MA degree in Educational Administration from Iowa State University. After undergraduate training in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Mr. Lambert began his teaching career at Urbandale Middle School as a Language Arts/Social Studies teacher. The three years prior to coming to Des Moines Christian School were spent serving in the Perry Community Schools as a fifth grade teacher and coach. Mr. Lambert is an active member of Perry Bible Church where he serves on the Leadership Board and is currently the high school Sunday school teacher. In summer of 2011, he moved to Minnesota to coach Football. The temporary elementary principal is Jerry Clutts.
The school's mascot is the Lions.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, United States. In 1980, the school moved to the former Franklin Junior High School building, and in 1983 added ninth grade
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
. In 1988, the State of Iowa granted accreditation to grades 7 through 12 (the elementary had already been accredited).
Conception
Des Moines Christian School was founded in June 1947 when forty-one people from various local churches in the greater Des Moines area gathered at the Des Moines YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
to pray and consider establishing a private Christian school in the Des Moines area. It was decided to elect an evangelical school board, adopt a constitution, and formulate bylaws for a parent-inspired school. In 2006 the school moved to its current location in Urbandale, Iowa.
Early years
In 1948, classes opened in the basement of First Federated Church with fifteen students and one teacher. In 1949, expansion to Grace Baptist Church became necessary due to a need for more space. In 1951, both campuses consolidated and the parents decided to purchase a full city block (2.5 acres) at 62nd and Franklin Avenue, and erect a school building. In September, 1955, Des Moines Christian School opened its doors for the first time with approximately 135 kindergarten through eighth grade students and seven teachers.Expansion
In August 1980, Des Moines Christian School moved to the former Franklin Junior High School building located at 48th street and Franklin Avenue, where they rented it from First Federated Church, which was also occupying part of the building. In September, 1983, Des Moines Christian added a secondary schoolSecondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
department, which included 9th through 12 grades. In 1987, Des Moines Christian School graduated twenty-nine students in its first senior high graduation ceremony. In January 1988, Des Moines Christian became accredited from the State of Iowa for grades 7-12 (the elementary had previously received accreditation.) In September 1995, they received accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International
Association of Christian Schools International
The Association of Christian Schools International is an association of evangelical Protestant Christian schools.-Purposes:ACSI, a protestant association for Christian schools, impacts nearly 23,000 schools and transforms the lives of more than 3.9 million students worldwide...
(ACSI). In the fall of 2005, Des Moines Christian School moved out of the rented space at First Federated Church and into their own facility in Urbandale, a suburb on the west side of Des Moines.
Recent years
Today, over 100 different churches are represented in the School's preschool through twelfth grade. The enrollment of Des Moines Christian School is over 600 students in grades K-12. In addition, over 200 children are enrolled in the preschool and day care program. The School employs approximately 90 full time and part time teaching and support staff.Superintendent
The Superintendent of Des Moines Christian School is Dr. Robert Stouffer. Dr. Stouffer is a fifth generation educator who taught high school English and coached numerous sports teams in Mason City, IowaMason City, Iowa
Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 28,079 in the 2010 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Gordo and Worth counties....
and Pleasant Valley, Iowa
Pleasant Valley, Iowa
Pleasant Valley Township is a township in Scott County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 33,144.-Geography:Pleasant Valley Township covers an area of and is located on the shore of the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport and Le Claire. It contains the...
. He also has 18 years of experience as a school administrator – serving as an Associate Principal, Principal, and Superintendent. He has earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Educational Administration at Northeast Missouri State University (now known as Truman State University) in Missouri and the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, respectively. Most recently, he has served as Principal of Urbandale High School (1992–2000) and Superintendent of Des Moines Christian School (2000 to present). Dr. Stouffer also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Leadership department at Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
, and he has served on the Board of Directors for several area non-profit organizations.
Secondary Principal
The High School Principal is John Steddom. Mr. Steddom received his undergraduate degree in communications and education from Central College in Pella, IowaPella, Iowa
Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.- History :...
. He began his career in education by teaching secondary language arts in the Cedar Valley and Floyd Valley School Districts. After receiving his first Master’s degree in counseling from Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
, Mr. Steddom worked in elementary school settings and in private practice, counseling children and adolescents. It was during this time that he initiated the first Character Counts! program in the state of Iowa. His second Master’s degree and Superintendent Licensure in educational administration have enabled him to serve successfully as assistant principal in the Urbandale and Newton school districts, as well as attempting to open a private school of his own design, prior to coming to Des Moines Christian School in the 2000-2001 school year as Secondary Principal. Mr. Steddom is an active member of Valley Church in West Des Moines in a number of leadership roles, once serving as Superintendent of Children’s Ministries.
Elementary Principal
The Elementary Principal was Cade Lambart. Mr. Lambert received his BS in Elementary Education and Bible from Northwestern CollegeNorthwestern College (Minnesota)
Northwestern College is a private Christian college located in Roseville, Minnesota, and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Established in 1902 as Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School by Dr...
in the Twin Cities. In addition, he graduated from Northwestern with a Middle School Social Studies Minor, and Kindergarten Endorsement. He has also earned his Iowa Coaching Endorsement through Heartland AEA. This fall, Mr. Lambert will receive his MA degree in Educational Administration from Iowa State University. After undergraduate training in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Mr. Lambert began his teaching career at Urbandale Middle School as a Language Arts/Social Studies teacher. The three years prior to coming to Des Moines Christian School were spent serving in the Perry Community Schools as a fifth grade teacher and coach. Mr. Lambert is an active member of Perry Bible Church where he serves on the Leadership Board and is currently the high school Sunday school teacher. In summer of 2011, he moved to Minnesota to coach Football. The temporary elementary principal is Jerry Clutts.
The school's mascot is the Lions.