Our 4th graders put kindness into action! 💕

As part of a class kindness project, students created Valentine boxes filled with sweet treats, stickers, and care to donate to our local food pantry. Through this project, they learned that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in our community. We’re so proud of their compassion, creativity, and heart for helping others! ✨
about 4 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
A class of students sitting, kneeling, and standing in rows with donation gifts in front of them.
A class of students sitting in rows with donation gifts in front of them.
A class of students sitting, kneeling, and standing in rows holding donation gifts.
Four young students working on laptops and writing at a classroom table with school supplies scattered around.
Students working on valentines day cards and writing at a classroom table with school supplies scattered around.
Two students working together at a classroom table with pink paper, markers, and a laptop open in front of them.
Elementary students seated around a table engaged in coloring and drawing activities with crayons and markers in a classroom.
Children gathered around a table with snacks and drinks, including Sprite cans and packaged meat, in a colorful classroom setting.
Two young girls stand by a table with baking supplies including frosting, sprinkles, and cake mix in a classroom setting.
Two students working together at a classroom table with pink paper, markers, and a laptop open in front of them.
Interested in having your child attend 4-Year-Old Preschool next year? Please complete the following survey if your child will be 4 years old by September 15, 2026. ✨

Fill out our interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuI22ruJNKFUTAU7tM2r0AdDP7cM0c3F_i0yR9lnROVALAOw/viewform.

Please note: This is not official registration. It helps us plan for next year. Official registrations will be sent later this spring to families who have completed this form.
about 9 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Two preschool children wearing blue headphones read a book together in a colorful classroom at Van Meter Elementary School's Preschool Program.
On Saturday, January 31, our 5th grade Van Meter Singers students shared their talents by singing “God Bless America” at the Iowa Wild hockey game held at Casey’s Center in downtown Des Moines.

Van Meter Singers is an after-school choir offered for 4th and 5th grade students at Van Meter. The 4th grade students meet from October through December, and the 5th grade students meet from January through March.
about 10 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of young vocalists in Van Meter apparel posing together indoors against a white brick wall.
Large crowd gathered in arena stands watching the Van Meter students sign on the ice during the pre-game.
Interested in our 2026-27 Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program? Fill out the interest form below today! 📝

📌 If your child will be 5 years old by September 15, 2026, please complete the form linked below.
📌 If your child currently attends TK at Van Meter, there’s no need to fill this out.
📌 Considering TK? This is the correct form for you!

Interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCVK6y5kJX2v7cIlasAHkxIkmEHXLoZEnXbKO3NHK8ZeJeWg/viewform.

Please note: This is not official registration. It helps us plan for next year. Official registrations will be sent later this spring to families who have completed this form.
about 11 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Young children in a classroom at Van Meter Elementary engaged in a group activity during kindergarten planning.
Van Meter Performing Arts is proud to present “Annie Jr.,” a heartwarming musical for the whole family! Join us for one of three performances: March 5 at 6:00pm, or March 6 at 3:00 and 6:00pm. 🎭

Tickets are just $5 and will be available at the Van Meter events page: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/vanmeter.
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Red curtain backdrop with city skyline promoting Annie Jr. performances on March 5 and 6 at Van Meter Performing Arts.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our girls and boys basketball teams as they take on Des Moines Christian tonight at home! Go Dawgs! 🏀
🕖 6:15pm & 7:15pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/vanmeter
#VanMeter
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Van Meter girls basketball player in blue uniform preparing to pass the ball during a high school game with coaches and spectators in the background. Basketball gameday vs Des Moines Christian on Tuesday, February 3, Girls at 6:15 PM and Boys at 7:15 PM at Van Meter HS.
GAMEDAY: Go Dawgs! Tonight the boys wrestling team will compete in a triangular at Knoxville. 🤼‍♂️
🕖 5:30pm
📍 Knoxville HS
🎟️ $6/Person - Cash or Card at the Gate
#VanMeter
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Two high school wrestlers in blue and gray singlets grappling on a mat during a match with spectators in the background. Boys' Wrestling Meet Day on Tuesday, February at 5:30 PM at Knoxville HS.
Congratulations to our student-athletes who have qualified for the Class 2A state wrestling tournament through our shared program with Raccoon River Wrestling! 🏆

⭐️ Katie Biscoglia
⭐️ Izzy Duncan
⭐️ Bella Bruins

These wrestlers will compete on February 5 and 6 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
2 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Congratulations, Van Meter Girls State Wrestling Qualifiers: Katie Biscoglia, Bella Bruins, and Izzy Duncan.
Collage honoring four school counselors with portraits and names during National School Counseling Week celebration.
2 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Collage honoring four school counselors with portraits and names during National School Counseling Week celebration.
Today we celebrate Groundhog Day, a tradition rooted in centuries-old seasonal folklore. According to legend, seeing a shadow signals more winter ahead. Whether true or not, it’s a fun way to mark the changing seasons! ❄️☀️
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Cartoon groundhog wearing a black top hat with text asking if six more weeks of winter will come on February 2, 2026.
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the profound contributions Black Americans have made to our nation. We appreciate the opportunity to recognize this month in partnership with our community.
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Bold text reading 'BLACK' filled with black and white portraits of notable African American figures, with 'February is Black History Month' above and below on a blue background.
Our TK students had a blast crafting “love bugs” with their 7th grade buddies this week! 💙
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Van Meter students engaged in a colorful classroom activity, crafting and interacting around a table filled with supplies and toys.
Van Meter students engaged in arts and crafts around a table in a colorful classroom decorated with artwork and educational posters.
Three students seated at a classroom table engaged in a craft activity with paper and scissors, surrounded by school supplies and colorful water bottles.
Van Meter students engaged in a classroom craft activity around a table with scissors and paper strips.
Two students sitting at a classroom table engaged in a hands-on craft activity with paper and scissors.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our varsity boys wrestlers in their competition at the Nevada Tournament! Go Dawgs! 🤼‍♂️
🕖 10:00am
📍 Nevada HS
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/nevada/tickets
#VanMeter
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Two high school wrestlers compete on a mat with spectators watching in the background during a wrestling meet. Boys' Wrestling Meet Day on Saturday, January 31 at 10:00 AM at Nevada HS.
We loved welcoming Turner Construction into our 4th grade science classroom this week! ⚡️💡

Students connected their learning about energy and electricity to real-world careers and future pathways. With help from a skilled electrician, they built flashlights using simple circuits, and an experienced engineer shared how those same concepts power large-scale projects.

Thank you for inspiring our young scientists to imagine all they could become!
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of elementary students posing together in a classroom with a whiteboard and motivational posters behind them.
Four children engaged in a classroom activity involving paper folding and crafting at a round table with worksheets and scissors.
Guest speaker sitting in a classroom reading to a group of attentive young students seated on the floor.
Guest speaker sitting in a classroom reading to a group of attentive young students seated on the floor.
Guest speaker in blue sweatshirt helping young student with a classroom activity involving green paper pieces.
Guest speaker standing and interacting with a student in a classroom while other children sit on the floor watching attentively.
Guest speaker standing near a whiteboard explaining a lesson to attentive elementary students seated on the classroom floor.
Congratulations to January’s Lead Dawgs from Grades 6-8! Great job! #VanMeter 🐾
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of smiling students from grades 6-8 holding certificates as January's Lead Dawgs at VM Middle School.
Our kindergartners visited the Science Center this week! They learned about Cold-Blooded Critters, climbed through the TapeScape, explored forces in the When Things Get Moving room, and had a great time discovering something new. 🔬
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Two VM students playing with small toy cars on a black and red racing table in a brightly lit museum exhibit space.
Two VM students sitting side by side on a large, netted play structure with sunlight casting shadows around them.
Two young boys in blue shirts interact with a hands-on exhibit at a science museum, exploring its features closely.
Three children in blue shirts interact with a large orange and black circular exhibit table indoors.
Three children interact with a space-themed educational exhibit featuring a touchscreen and a glowing display about rocket parts in Spanish.
Two children seated on red pulley swings, pulling ropes to lift themselves while three other kids watch nearby in an indoor play area.
Two young girls in blue shirts play together on an orange and blue interactive exhibit inside a modern museum space.
Group of children and two adults posing inside a numbered arch exhibit in a museum setting with blue walls and informational signage.
Congratulations to all of January’s TK-5 Top Dogs for being great communicators! You make us proud! #VanMeter 🐾
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of young students posing in front of a Van Meter backdrop celebrating TK-5 top achievers.
Group of elementary students posing in front of a Van Meter Bulldogs backdrop celebrating TK-5 top achievers.
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our girls wrestling on the RRW team today at the IGHSAU Regionals–let’s go, Dawgs! 🤼‍♀️
🕖 4:00pm
📍 Ottumwa HS
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/girlswrestling/2025-26/tickets
#VanMeter
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Two female wrestlers competing intensely on a mat during a high school wrestling match with teammates watching in the background. Girls' Wrestling Meet Day on Friday, January 30 at 4:00 PM at Ottumwa HS.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our girls and boys basketball teams tonight as they compete against West Central Valley at home! 🏀
🕖 6:15pm & 7:15pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/vanmeter
#VanMeter
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Female basketball player in Van Meter CSD uniform shooting a jump shot during a game in a gymnasium with spectators in the background. Basketball Game Day vs West Central Valley on Friday, January 30. Girls at 6:15 PM and Boys at 7:15 PM at Van Meter HS.
Congratulations to our talented student artists from Intro to Art, 2D Art, 3D Art, and Adv. Art for being recognized in this High School Art Shout-Out! 🎨

We’re proud to celebrate the creativity of:
⭐️ Raina Haugen
⭐️ Kadyn Rainey
⭐️ Gabe Scott
⭐️ Aubrey Esser
⭐️ Isabella Sorensen
⭐️ Hudson Soderholm
⭐️ Sami DeWall
⭐️ Stella Cook
⭐️ Cody Deemer
⭐️ Burkli Harkins
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Stylized jaguar illustration with the word 'JAGUAR' creatively integrated into its body shape and spots.
Hand-drawn sketch of a tall lighthouse on a rocky cliff with a small adjacent building and three birds flying overhead.
Three handmade ceramic bowls in blue, beige, and yellow with black polka dots arranged on a gray surface.
Detailed black ink drawings of various marine animals including sharks, starfish, turtles, and jellyfish on white paper.
Pink pig-shaped figure with a pastel rainbow unicorn horn and a round light pink belly on a gray background.
Black and white drawing of a turtle filled with various intricate geometric and abstract patterns on a dark background.
A sketch of a winged figure falling backward from the sky above a textured landscape with scattered clouds.
Black and white stippled drawing of a sea turtle with detailed shell patterns and flippers on a plain background.
A black and white pencil geometric drawing with shading.
Hand-painted depiction of Kinnick Stadium with Iowa Hawkeyes football field and black and yellow striped stands under a cloudy sky.