What Waukee Community School District does

Waukee Community School District is a public K-12 school district headquartered in Waukee, Iowa, serving students across 56 square miles of Dallas County as a political subdivision of the State of Iowa. Founded in 1916, it operates 19 school buildings (11 elementary, 4 middle, 2 high, plus 9th-grade campuses and specialized facilities such as the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center) and supports 501-1,000 employees. The district runs 85 bus routes annually and schedules over 434,000 facility-use hours per year. Its technology backbone is a 1:1 Apple device program managing 13,000+ iPads and 2,000+ MacBooks, integrated with PowerSchool (student information), Canvas (LMS), ParentSquare (communications), Securly (content filtering), Minga (electronic hall passes), and Visitor Aware (visitor management with facial recognition). The district has also adopted an AI Guiding Principles framework governing generative AI use in curriculum, instruction, and administration.

Waukee CSD's core educational product is comprehensive PK-12 instruction supplemented by the Waukee APEX work-based learning program (engaging three-quarters of graduates), advanced coursework, special education, and extensive extracurriculars. Funding is derived primarily from state aid, SAVE tax revenue (~$16M annually), PPEL (~$11M annually), property taxes, and voter-approved general obligation bonds ($205M in 2020, $180M in 2023) for capital projects through 2030. Fee-based ancillary services include Beyond the Bell child care, preschool wrap-around care, summer nutrition, community education classes, and facility rentals. Distribution is via resident and open enrollment across the 56-square-mile district, with supplemental community partnerships such as the Waukee Police Department SRO program and Des Moines Performing Arts collaborations.

The district's strategic posture emphasizes scaling capacity for sustained enrollment growth, evidenced by 70-88% voter approval of major bond referendums, construction of new elementary and middle-level buildings, and steady expansion of its technology and safety stack. Academic outcomes (98% graduation rate, 23.5 average ACT, 50+ National Merit Finalists since 2010) and community satisfaction (91%) underpin a strong brand position that drives enrollment demand beyond the geographic boundary. Near-term priorities include executing the 2023 bond capital plan, completing the superintendent transition, and operationalizing the 2025 AI, device, and safety policy frameworks.

Name

Waukee Community School District

Legal name

Waukee Community School District

Website

https://waukeeschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Waukee Community School District is a public K-12 district in Iowa operating 19 schools across 56 square miles, serving PK-12 students with a 1:1 Apple device program, APEX work-based learning, and integrated SIS/LMS/communications platforms. It is funded by state aid, voter-approved bonds, and local levies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Child Care Services (62441), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• Early childhood education
• Work-based learning
• Child care services
• Student transportation

Headquarters

HQ city

Waukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Waukee Community School District provides comprehensive public K-12 education and supporting services to students in Waukee, Iowa and surrounding Dallas County. Core offerings include preschool through grade 12 instruction across 19+ school buildings, the Waukee APEX work-based learning program, before- and after-school child care (Beyond the Bell), summer nutrition services, student transportation across 85 bus routes, and community education classes and facility rentals.

Product overview

Waukee Community School District operates as a comprehensive K-12 public education system with 19+ buildings across 56 square miles in Iowa. The district's technology portfolio centers on a 1:1 Apple device program managing over 13,000 iPads and 2,000 MacBooks. Key educational technology platforms include PowerSchool (student information), Canvas LMS (learning management), and ParentSquare (family communication). The district has implemented AI Guiding Principles governing generative AI use in curriculum and administration, along with integrated tools like Securly (content filtering), Minga (hall passes), and Visitor Aware (visitor management). Beyond core academics, the district offers specialized programs including Waukee APEX (work-based learning), preschool/transitional kindergarten, Beyond the Bell child care, summer nutrition services, and transportation across the district's North and South Operations centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waukee APEX Work-Based Learning Program Career preparation and work-based learning program offering APEX coursework, career services, and internships for high school students, with three-quarters of graduating students participating.
• Beyond the Bell Child Care Before- and after-school child care program for elementary students, operating from 7 a.m. until school start and from dismissal until 6 p.m.
• Preschool Program (with Transitional Kindergarten) Early childhood education program including preschool and transitional kindergarten enrollment options with wrap-around child care available.
• Summer Lunch Program Free summer meal program for children 18 and younger, operating at multiple locations in Waukee and West Des Moines during summer months.
• Student Transportation Services Student bus transportation operating 85 routes annually across the 56-square-mile district, supported by North and South Operations Centers.
• Waukee Innovation & Learning Center Specialized facility supporting innovative learning programs and district-wide initiatives.
• Community Education and Facility Rentals Community education classes and camps, along with facility rental programs for community use of district buildings and athletic facilities.
• Open Enrollment for Non-Resident Students Application-based enrollment program allowing out-of-district students to attend Waukee CSD schools, subject to state guidelines and capacity availability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% graduation rate
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district has retained the services of HYA, a national executive search firm, to assist the School Board with the hiring of the next superintendent. HYA created a survey for staff, families, students, and community members and developed a candidate profile to guide the superintendent search. Contact: Dr. Paul Tedesco and Dr. Mike Richie.
• Waukee Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district partners with the Waukee Police Department to provide School Resource Officer (SRO) programming. SROs are local law enforcement officers who work closely with administrators to create safe learning environments. The district has 5 SROs assigned to various schools including Northwest High School, Waukee High School, and middle schools.
• Des Moines Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDes Moines Performing Arts produces the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase. Waukee High School and Waukee Northwest High School participated in the 2026 Showcase with both schools receiving multiple awards including Outstanding Musical Production for Waukee High School's 'Come From Away' production.
• Iowa High School Athletic AssociationcoreOthersThe district participates in Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) sanctioned athletics and activities, including the State Track and Field Meet where the district's athletes earned team and individual championships.
• Discover Dairy - Adopt-a-Cow ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaukee CSD transitional kindergarten classes participate in Discover Dairy's Adopt-a-Cow program, which introduces students to Iowa agriculture through monthly lessons about dairy farm animal care, hands-on activities like making butter and whipped cream, and virtual interviews with veterinarians.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ankeny Community School District: Another large, fast-growing Iowa suburban public K-12 district serving a similar Des Moines metro demographic. Directly comparable on enrollment scale, growth trajectory, bond-funded expansion, and suburban community profile.
• West Des Moines Community Schools: Adjacent Dallas/Polk County suburban public K-12 district with comparable demographics, open-enrollment dynamics, and a similarly large facility footprint. Most directly comparable peer given geographic proximity and shared enrollment pool.
• Johnston Community School District: Suburban Des Moines metro public K-12 district of similar size and growth profile. Comparable on academic-outcomes positioning, large-scale technology investments, and suburban family draw.
• Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District: Neighboring Dallas County public K-12 district that overlaps with Waukee's boundary and competes for the same open-enrollment families. Closely comparable on geographic market and demographic profile.
• Urbandale Community School District: Suburban Des Moines metro public K-12 district of similar scale with comparable academic outcomes and suburban family demographics. Directly comparable on operating model and competitive set.
• Southeast Polk Community School District: Larger Iowa public K-12 district in the Des Moines metro with multiple high schools, comparable scale, and a similar mix of growth-driven facility expansion and academic programming.

Broad incumbents

• Des Moines Public Schools: The largest Iowa public K-12 district and the urban anchor of the metro. Comparable in scope of programming and facility footprint, though more urban and demographically distinct from Waukee's suburban profile.

Regional players

• Linn-Mar Community School District: Large Iowa public K-12 district in the Cedar Rapids metro with similar suburban growth profile and academic-outcomes positioning. Comparable on scale and operating model but in a different regional labor market.
• Iowa City Community School District: Mid-sized Iowa public K-12 district anchored by a university town. Comparable on academic outcomes and programming breadth, though different demographic and growth profile from Waukee.
• Cedar Rapids Community School District: Large Iowa urban public K-12 district with comparable facility scale and breadth of programming. Less directly competitive due to geographic separation, but operationally similar in size and complexity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WaukeeCSD
• Facebookfacebook.com/WaukeeCSD
• Instagraminstagram.com/waukeecsd
• Xx.com/WaukeeCSD

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waukee Community School District