School Board Approves New Boundaries Map

On Dec. 4, the Waukee CSD School Board approved the following updated boundary maps following extensive planning, analysis, and consultation with the District’s expert demographers and input from the community.

See the updated boundary maps below and check out this Exceptions Overview Document for details about pathways and transportation options.

Elementary Boundaries

Elementary Boundaries Final
Secondary Boundaries

Secondary Boundaries Final 12 4
Summary Of Changes:

The initial proposal was presented to the School Board and public in November. After hearing feedback from the community, the following changes were added to the final map:

  • The area north of Meredith Drive that was proposed to move to Waterford Elementary will remain at Walnut Hills Elementary.
  • The area initially proposed as an addition to Grant Ragan Elementary—then returned to Radiant—will be added back to Grant Ragan, with exceptions (see below).
  • Additional exceptions were added for Sugar Creek/Maple Grove (see below).

These boundary changes remain:

  • Waterford boundary is established east of 170th Street (Alice’s Road) and Meredith Drive.
  • Walnut Hills extends west from Alice’s Road to Warrior Lane.
  • Maple Grove extends west from Grand Prairie Parkway to SE LA Grant Parkway.
  • The area that was initially recommended to move from Walnut Hills Elementary to Shuler Elementary will remain in Walnut Hills.
  • The area of Woodland Elementary that was proposed to move to Sugar Creek Elementary will remain in Woodland.
  • All of Waukee Elementary will move to the Waukee High School (south) feeder.
  • There will be no separated schools or feeders.

 

Exceptions

  1. Maple Grove families who live in the yellow criss-cross section (see elementary map above):
    • Current 4th graders may be granted an exception, allowing them to continue at Sugar Creek Elementary (and matriculate to Timberline Middle School)
    • Current 5th graders may be granted an exception, allowing them to attend South Middle School (6th grade) then Timberline Middle School
  2. Walnut Hills families who live in the tan criss-cross section (see elementary map above):
    • Current 4th graders may be granted an exception, allowing them to continue at Radiant Elementary
  3. Grant Ragan families who live in the peach criss-cross section (see elementary map above):
    • Current 4th graders may be granted an exception, allowing them to continue at Radiant Elementary and matriculate to North Middle School
    • Current 5th-7th graders may be granted an exception, allowing them to attend Trailridge/Waukee North Middle School
  4. Waukee Elementary families who live in the orange striped section (see secondary map above):
    • Current 6th-11th graders may be granted an exception, allowing them to continue at Waukee Middle School/Trailridge/Waukee Northwest High School
    • Younger siblings of current 6th-11th graders may be granted an exception; they would attend North Middle School/Trailridge/Waukee Northwest High School
    • Older siblings may choose to go with the younger siblings to North Middle School/Trailridge
    • A family may choose to accept an exception for older siblings and not younger siblings
    • A family may choose to decline the exception for all their children and move to the Waukee High School (south) feeder

See our Exceptions Overview Document for complete details, including pathways and transportation options for all students in the exception areas.

 

Additional Notes Regarding Exceptions:

  • Once an exception is either refused or accepted, the decision is irrevocable.
  • Exceptions apply only to current families as of fall 2023 (new families who move into the District must follow established boundaries).
  • If a family receiving an exception moves within the District, the family will now follow the boundaries for the new home.
  • Exceptions will be honored as long as the current boundary map is in existence. When/if the boundary map changes, the exceptions will be re-evaluated at the same time.

 

School Board Decision Timeline

  • Oct. 9: Process to create the new boundaries map kicked off
  • Nov. 13: Initial map presented to the Waukee CSD School Board
  • Nov. 16: Community Town Hall at WHS Auditorium
  • Nov. 27: Revised map presented to the Waukee CSD School Board
  • Dec. 4: Waukee CSD School Board approved map at special board meeting

 

Why The Change?

The proposed changes, which would take effect next fall (the 2024-25 school year), are necessary to address issues such as overcrowding in some schools, planning for the opening of Waterford Elementary, and balancing student populations in our two feeders.

Throughout the process, the District focused on three main priorities:

  1. Create and maintain a feeder for our 6-8, 9, and 10-12 buildings with long-term sustainability
  2. Balance our elementary schools in terms of class size, anticipated enrollment, and student demographics
  3. Balance the NWHS/WHS feeders with the same considerations

As one of the largest—and fastest-growing—districts in the state, Waukee CSD has taken numerous factors into account in developing this map. Over the past several months, leadership worked with RSP & Associates to analyze forecasted development in the District, housing values, birth rates, and other projections. Factors considered include building capacity, class sizes, transportation needs, family dynamics, and more.

The overarching goal is to enhance the quality of education for our students and plan for the future of the District, while minimizing disruptions as much as possible.

 

More Information