At the heart of the Urbandale Community School District (UCSD) is a fundamental belief in the inherent potential of all students.
We know every student learns differently so we adapt methods of instruction to better support the unique learning styles of all students. We strive to bring learning to life for students by helping them discover, define, and develop their full potential.
As a suburb of the Des Moines metropolitan area, Urbandale is a big-time school district with a small-town feel. Families describe the District as being the perfect size — not too big and not too small. Our average graduating class size is 325 students, providing many opportunities for students to get involved in clubs and activities, build strong connections with classmates, and develop meaningful partnerships with teachers and coaches.
UCSD serves over 4,000 students in four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and an alternative high school program. We offer a comprehensive Preschool Program and Adventuretime Before/After School Childcare Program. Additionally, families with elementary students are given the choice to either attend their neighborhood elementary school that operates on a traditional calendar or attend Karen Acres Elementary which operates on a year-round schedule. At Karen Acres, students are in session the same number of days as other elementary schools, but breaks occur more frequently to give everyone a chance to reset and refresh.
For over 100 years, UCSD educators have provided safe and supportive learning environments where students feel empowered to learn, to set goals, to overcome obstacles, and to achieve success. We take great care and pride in teaching all students, reaching all students, and welcoming all students, staff, and families. Wherever you go in UCSD, U BELONG!
Vision
Urbandale will be a school district that brings learning to life for everyone.
Mission
Teaching All — Reaching All
We value…
- innovation through continual improvement.
- a collaborative culture.
- a consistent, rigorous, and relevant curriculum.
- strong partnerships with all stakeholders.
- joy in meaningful lifelong learning.
- safe and caring schools.
- a committed, passionate workforce.
- the optimization of resources.
- trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Strategic Planning
Student Exit Outcomes
Students graduating from UCSD will…
- access and analyze key information to develop solutions and persevere through complex problems.
- purposefully communicate ideas through visual, digital, verbal and nonverbal interactions.
- innovate to generate new or original thoughts, interpretations, products, works or techniques.
- work collaboratively among and across personal and global networks to achieve common goals.
- respond and adjust to situational needs.
- prioritize, plan and apply knowledge and skills to make decisions that create quality results in an ever-changing environment.
- demonstrate cultural competence and social responsibility.
Contact Us
District Office
11152 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: 515-457-5000
Fax: 515-457-5018