Van Meter Junior-Senior High School

This school lacks diversity, the whole student population, parents, and most importantly and shamefully - the staff - are all involved in the town clique rather than educating and celebrating education and diversity. Outsiders are not welcomed. When bullying happens at this school, and it does frequently, even physical attacks are not handled as according the student handbook and board policy. I would not recommend sending your child here.
--Submitted by a parent

Ok you guys are nuts! you say there is no diversity like its a horrible thing on our part, like we have a choice in the matter. We do not have a never diverse student selection compared to des moines school who have every race attend there school. That isn't our fault. I love van meter schooling for the most part i love all the teachers they make it personal they actually listen when you talk(most anyway) but hey no school is perfect. I have also gone to des moines school and they don't care at all about there students they let the students barely pass just so they can get the kids who don't understand out of their hair. Its insane. Van meter is a small town and small school, the one thing i wish was diffrent is we had more things to do in this town.
--Submitted by a student

This school is horrible. There is no diversity and their teaching methods are completely pointless. Do not send your child to this school unless you grew up in Van Meter.
--Submitted by a student

It's true that there are not a lot of diverse activities, but the performing arts programs are improving. Also, for those students needing more academic challenges, the school will enroll the student in a local community college class or ICN class at no cost to the parents. Parents are highly involved, and that is a real benefit. Also, the small school size ensures that students can be in as many activities as they want.
--Submitted by a parent

Van Meter High school is extremely small and not very diverse. We have virtually no extracurriculars, but don't worry, we have loads of sports for all of you jocks out there. Most of van meter is highly involved in sports, and the parents for the most part are highly involved in their children's activities. They offer football, basketball, soccer (through Adel), softball, baseball, volleyball, however you will not find swimming, tennis, nor more diverse gym classes. Overall, it is a great community for younger students, however, being orginally from Des Moines, I am dissapointed. But if you are looking for a small community to raise your children in, we are currently growing and expanding.
--Submitted by student, a student