13007 Douglas Parkway Urbandale, Iowa 50323 515-252-2480 www.dmcs.org des moines christian school 2014 Annual progress report Our Mission Equipping students with an excellent, biblically-directed, Christ-centered education. Our Vision Students will become servant leaders who think critically, discern spiritually, and act biblically. Our Core Values Christ-centered Student-focused Wise stewardship of all resources Serving those inside and outside the body of Christ Striving toward excellence in all endeavors school board Mr. Matt Mayse, President Mr. Randy Stromley, Vice President Ms. Cheryl Minor, Treasurer Mr. Tim Hall, Secretary Mr. Dave Bruxvoort Mr. Brad Krehlik Mr. John Leusink Mr. Steve Mathson Mr. Jim Plagge Mr. David Swanson Mr. Glenn Vos, Superintendent Education by The Book Equipping students for life through Christ-centered education.
Our School Academic Program Des Moines Christian School, EE-12, is independently accredited in the state of Iowa with rigorous standards through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). To maintain this accreditation, DMC is held accountable for ten standards, some of which include written curriculum, Biblical integration, financial practices, and Board governance. In addition to Christian school accreditation, DMC is licensed through DHS for Early Education and holds Special Accreditation status with the State of Iowa for Grades 7-11. Special Accreditation for our Secondary program ensures we offer courses necessary for college entrance and have 80% or more of our seniors accepted to a four-year college or university. Biblical Worldview Worldview education is the foundation of a successful Christian school program. The children we are working with are not just those who need an education so they can get a job; they are those who are headed for eternity. (Jeff Meyers, Summit Ministries). At DMC, we take this call seriously and immerse our students in opportunities to live out their faith through godly relationships, ministry hours, mission trips, and classroom discussion. We seek to partner with parents to create servant leaders who think critically, discern spiritually, and act biblically. Student Support Programs Des Moines Christian offers a Talented and Gifted program (TAG), as well as a resource program for students in Grades K-12. Eligibility criteria are based on Iowa Assessment results and teacher referral. Extra-Curricular Opportunities Des Moines Christian seeks to promote the development of the whole person through a variety of programs and activities. Opportunities to participate outside the classroom give our students a chance to explore the many gifts and talents from God. Our membership in the West Central Activities Conference allows students to compete in sports, fine arts, and academic competitions. These extra-curricular opportunities are designed to help students develop Christian friendships, learn social interaction, develop leadership abilities, and glorify Christ. Des Moines Christian School claimed the title of 2013-2014 Conference Champions in girls volleyball, girls and boys basketball, boys golf, girls track, and the academic bowl. Find more information about our elementary or secondary programs at dmcs.org. Our Staff Teacher Quality Des Moines Christian remains committed to hiring qualified, experienced employees who are committed to an excellent, Christ-centered, academically challenging education. Full-and Part-Time Employees = 119 Teaching Staff = 60 Includes teachers, library media specialist, and counselor Teacher Qualifications Teacher Experience Number of teachers (EE-12) 60 0-4 years 28% % with bachelor s degree 100% 5-9 years 34% % with Master s degree 22% 10-14 years 8% 15+ years 30%
Classified Staff = 54 Includes teacher associates, nurse, office employees, bus drivers, custodial staff, and food service staff Administration = 7 Includes superintendent, principals, early education program director, early education office manager, curriculum director, and director of finance and human resources Our Students DMCS Enrollment Early Education 71 Elementary 451 Secondary 344 Total 866 Graduation Rate 100% Student Assessments College Entrance Scores Most colleges and universities require the American College Testing Program (ACT) as a determinant of future scholastic success. A composite score of 20 or higher on the 36-point scale for the test indicates probable success in college. 91% of the graduating class of 2014 took the ACT; of those 49% had a composite score of 25 or higher. 83% had a composite score of 20 or higher. One was a National Merit Semi-Finalist. One was a National Merit Commended Student. ACT comparative data is listed below. DMC DMC State of IA 2013 2014 2014 ACT Composite 23.9 24.5 22.0 English 24.0 25.5 21.5 Math 22.5 23.1 21.4 Reading 25.3 25.4 22.5 Science 23.2 23.8 22.2 50% of the graduating class of 2014 took one or more college classes. 60% took one or more AP classes. 29% took both college and AP classes. Iowa Assessments Iowa Assessments (formerly ITBS and ITED) were administered to students in Grades 3-11 in the spring of 2014. Results are used: to measure student growth assess academic programs guide professional development Iowa Assessment Subtest Grade % Proficient or Higher % Advanced Reading 3-6 88.0% 35.9% Reading 7-11 89.0% 32.1% Mathematics 3-6 89.6% 32.9% Mathematics 7-11 87.8% 23.3% Science 3-6 93.9% 35.5% Science 7-11 90.3% 24.3%
Additional Progress Monitoring Tools: Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) Curriculum Based Measurement for Math (CBMs) curriculum aligned classroom assessments District Goals Long Range Academic Goals for Reading, Math, and Science The long-range academic goal for Des Moines Christian School is to increase the number of students proficient or above in reading, math, and science. Annual Reading Improvement Goals Reading Goal for 2013-2014 of students proficient or above on the Reading subtest of the Iowa Assessments in Grades 3-6 and 7-11 by May 2014. The percent proficient or above in 2013 was 92.5 and 89.6% respectively. Report Des Moines Christian did not meet the goal of increasing the number of students proficient or above. The percent proficient using matched cohort data in 2014 was 88% and 89% respectively. Reading Goal for 2014-2015 Using matched cohort data, Des Moines Christian School will increase the percent proficient or above on the reading subtest of the Iowa Assessments in Grades 3-6 and Grades 7-11 by May 2015. The percent proficient or above in 2014 was 88% and 89%, respectively. Annual Mathematics Improvement Goals Mathematics Goal for 2012-2013 of students proficient or above on the Mathematics subtest of the Iowa Assessments in Grades 3-6 and 7-11 by May 2014. The percent proficient or above in 2013 was 90.7% and 86.3% respectively. Report Des Moines Christian School met the goal of increasing the number of students proficient or above in Grades 7-11. The percent proficient or above using matched cohort data in 2014 was 87.8%. Grades 3-6 did not meet the goal. Percent proficient or above in 2014 was 89.6%. Mathematics Goal for 2014-2015 Using matched cohort data, Des Moines Christian School will increase the percent proficient or above on the Mathematics subtest of the Iowa Assessments in Grades 3-6 and Grades 7-11 by May 2015. The percent proficient or above in 2014 was 89.6% and 87.8%, respectively. Annual Science Improvement Goals Science Goal for 2013-2014 of students proficient or above on the Science subtest of the Iowa Assessments in Grades 3-11 by May 2014. The percent proficient or above in 2013 was 91%. Report Des Moines Christian School met the goal of increasing the number of students proficient or above. The percent proficient or above using matched cohort data in 2014 was 92%. Science Goal for 2014-2015 of students proficient or above on the Science subtest of the Iowa Assessments in Grades 3-11 by May 2015. The percent proficient or above in 2014 was 92%.
school board The Board of Directors of Des Moines Christian School is committed to a philosophy of service to God through the education of children. The objective of this philosophy is to help each child develop into a mature Christian and a contributing member of society. The Board believes that this objective can best be met through a school program that supports and works with the home and church to develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical, civic, social, and aesthetic abilities of children. The Board of Directors realizes that an effective Christian school program must be based on the truth of God s Word, the Bible, and be directed toward common needs of all children. Since all children are created in the image of God, the Board believes that the educational program of DMCS should help all children develop their unique abilities and thus be prepared to fulfill God s plan for their lives. Superintendent Mr. Glenn Vos (515) 252-2480 Junior High and High School Principal Jahna Duda (515) 252-2490 Elementary School Principal Karla Lowe (515) 252-2485 Early Education Department Director Monni Chittenden (515) 252-2482 Professional Development Goals for 2014-2015 Des Moines Christian School follows the Iowa Professional Development Model to provide staff training centered on content, instruction, and assessment. Based on assessment results and a desire to see increased student achievement in all areas, professional development for the year is focused on increasing student engagement. The action plan to increase student engagement includes: Professional Learning Communities who design targeted interventions for struggling and advanced learners, hone instructional strategies, and discuss research-based professional practices. Professional development during staff meetings and inservice days centered on research-based instructional strategies for hands-on Science instruction, Reading skills across the curriculum, and Technology integration. Training new teachers in integration of a Biblical worldview into all subject areas. Participation in the ACSI NEXUS Live conference. Our Community Association Members Upon enrollment at Des Moines Christian School, each parent becomes an Association member who can provide valuable input to the leadership of DMC as well as vote for school board members. Full-time DMC staff members are also Association members. Parents are encouraged to attend Association meetings twice yearly. The Association represents 27 different communities and families from over 103 local churches. Volunteer Involvement Volunteers assist learning in numerous ways through tutoring, laboratory instruction, guest speakers, field trip sponsors, home room/grade level parents, classroom support, office help, special events organizers, fund raisers, and much more. Typically, 250-350 volunteers help the school in some way during the year. Parent support also comes through Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF), ABC (Athletic Booster Club), and Fine Arts Boosters (FAB). DMCS is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Iowa Department of Education. @DMCS_Updates facebook.com/desmoineschristianschool