West Des Moines Schools weigh future of alternative education after Walnut Creek Campus closure

February 11, 2026 - 23:27

The Walnut Creek Campus in West Des Moines will cease its current operations, marking the end of an era for the district's alternative education program housed there. However, district officials are emphasizing that this closure is not an end to alternative education itself, but rather a pivotal moment to redesign and strengthen these vital services.

School board members and administrators have initiated a comprehensive review to determine the future path for serving students who benefit from non-traditional learning environments. The discussion centers on what form this renewed commitment will take and whether the Walnut Creek building will remain a part of that solution. The goal is to build a more effective and sustainable model.

District leaders have confirmed that while the present campus model is being dissolved, the possibility of continuing some form of alternative programming at the same location is actively on the table. The coming months will involve detailed planning and community input to forge a new direction. The focus remains squarely on ensuring all students, regardless of their educational path, have access to the support and resources they need to succeed. The transition aims to create a robust framework for alternative learning that better meets evolving student needs.