What Johnston Community School District does

Johnston Community School District (JCSD) is a public K-12 school district headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, within the Des Moines metropolitan area. Founded in 1914, it is the 14th largest school district in Iowa, serving approximately 7,054 K-12 students across a 42-square-mile coverage area that spans Johnston and parts of Urbandale, Des Moines, Grimes, and Granger. The district employs more than 1,200 staff and operates with a general fund budget of $135 million. JCSD delivers instruction through a nine-school platform: Johnston Early Learning Academy (ages 2-4), five elementary schools (Beaver Creek, Horizon, Lawson, Timber Ridge, Wallace), two middle schools (Summit grades 6-7 and Johnston grades 8-9), and Johnston High School (grades 10-12, capacity 1,800). Augmenting the core K-12 platform are specialized programs including the Johnston Excel Program (alternative high school, launched 2024-2025), Johnston Launch Program (ages 18-21 transition services), Johnston Therapeutic Program (K-8), Extended Learning Program (gifted/talented), ESOL, ChildServe partnership, and Ellipsis residential-treatment education.

The district's core instructional technology includes a district-wide 1:1 iPad program for grades K-12 (underpinning its Apple Distinguished District designation, with all eight schools named Apple Distinguished Schools), the Leader in Me framework in elementary schools, and a stack of third-party platforms: Infinite Campus (student information), ParentSquare (communications), Moodle (LMS), Edmentum Courseware (online learning, primary content for the Excel Program), NutriSlice and PayPams (food services), Follett Destiny (library), Clever (SSO), ArcGIS (school locator), and GoBound (athletics).

JCSD is a governmental entity of the State of Iowa, governed by a seven-member elected Board of Education and led by Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda. Its revenue model is government-funded public education — a recurring stream of state funding, local property taxes, and federal grants — supplemented by fee-based Nutrition Services and Community Education programs (before/after child care, recreation, aquatic programs). Service delivery is direct-to-consumer through geographic attendance boundaries, with open enrollment available for non-resident students (the district consistently has more students open-enrolling in than out).

Name

Johnston Community School District

Legal name

Johnston Community School District

Website

https://johnstoncsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Johnston Community School District is a public K-12 school district headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving approximately 7,054 students across nine schools and specialized programs, funded primarily by state aid, local property taxes, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• School district services
• Early childhood education
• Special education programs
• Alternative high school

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: Government-funded public education through state funding, local property taxes, and federal grants. The district operates with a general fund budget of $135 million.
2. Student Meal Programs: Nutrition services providing breakfast and lunch to students, with free and reduced meal programs available
3. Community Education Programs: Before and after school child care, youth and adult recreation and education programs, aquatic programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Johnston Community School District provides publicly funded K-12 education to approximately 7,054 students through nine schools: an Early Learning Academy (ages 2-4), five elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (grades 6-7 and 8-9), and one high school (grades 10-12). The district supplements core schooling with specialized programs for alternative education, transition services for special education students (ages 18-21), therapeutic programming (K-8), and English language learners, along with community education, transportation, and nutrition services.

Product overview

Johnston Community School District is a public K-12 school district providing comprehensive educational services through a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core K-12 platform includes nine schools: one early learning academy (JELA) for ages 2-4, five elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (grades 6-7 and 8-9), and one high school (grades 10-12). Specialized programs augment the core offering: Excel Program (alternative high school), Launch Program (transition services for ages 18-21), Therapeutic Program (K-8 therapeutic support), Ellipsis (residential treatment education), and ChildServe (special health needs partnership). Additional modules include Extended Learning Program (gifted/talented), ESOL (English language learning), Community Education (before/after care, recreation), Transportation, Nutrition Services, and Mental Health Services. The district utilizes Edmentum Courseware for online learning, Infinite Campus for student information management, and ParentSquare for communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dragon Stadium: 5,600-seat outdoor stadium with synthetic field at Johnston High School featuring team building, concessions, restrooms, and 8-lane track
• Leader in Me
• Apple Distinguished District

Products and services

• Johnston Early Learning Academy (JELA) Preschool program serving students ages 2-4 years old, with natural light in all classrooms, community spaces, an indoor playscape, and abundant outdoor play areas. Opened in 2018 to consolidate preschool classes.
• Developmental Kindergarten Half-day transition program for kindergarten-aged learners (age 5 by Sept. 15) who would benefit from an additional year before full-day kindergarten. Based on Iowa Core Kindergarten Standards with focus on literacy, numeracy, self-regulation, and social engagement. Located at Wallace Elementary.
• Elementary Schools (K-5) Five elementary schools serving grades K-5: Beaver Creek Elementary, Horizon Elementary, Lawson Elementary, Timber Ridge Elementary, and Wallace Elementary (DK-5). Each includes instructional classrooms, art rooms, music/band rooms, computer labs, library media centers, cafeterias, and gymnasiums. Beaver Creek and other campuses implement the Leader in Me framework.
• Summit Middle School (Grades 6-7) Middle school at 9500 Windsor Parkway serving over 1,100 students in grades 6-7. Includes instructional classrooms, full-size gymnasium, swimming pool, library media center, industrial technology room, family and consumer science room, art rooms, and band room. Uses Moodle learning management system.
• Johnston Middle School (Grades 8-9) Middle school at 6501 NW 62nd Ave serving more than 1,200 students in grades 8-9. Located in the former Johnston High School building (since 2017). Features instructional classrooms, two gymnasiums, a 600-seat auditorium, industrial technology rooms, and a wellness center. Uses Moodle learning management system.
• Johnston High School (Grades 10-12) High school at 6500 NW 100th St serving around 1,800 students in grades 10-12. State-of-the-art 369,000-square-foot facility (completed 2017) with capacity of 1,800 students, 48 general education classrooms, 12 science labs, a 1,200-seat auditorium, a 2,500-seat field house with three gyms, and the 5,600-seat Dragon Stadium.
• Johnston Excel Program Alternative high school program for students in grades 9-12 who benefit from a non-traditional educational environment. Serves approximately 50-60 students with smaller class sizes using Edmentum Courseware for content delivery, with morning (8:30-11:30) and afternoon (12:30-3:30) sessions Monday-Thursday. Referral-based.
• Johnston Launch Program Integrated transition program for students ages 18-21 receiving special education services (formerly Johnston High School's 4+ Program). Focuses on living, learning, and working skills through IEP goals including apartment upkeep, meal planning, laundry, and career exploration. Located in the northwest wing of the District Office.
• Johnston Therapeutic Program (JTP) Specialized program for K-8 students with significant therapeutic approach needs. Features four classrooms with a maximum of six students each, each staffed with a teacher, associate, behavior interventionist, and mental health specialist. Includes a sensory room for student breaks.
• Ellipsis Program Partnership with Ellipsis nonprofit to provide education services to students residing at Ellipsis facilities. Instruction delivered at Ellipsis campuses in Johnston and Des Moines using Edmentum Courseware. Serves grades 5-12 students placed by Iowa Juvenile Court or Department of Health and Human Services.
• ChildServe Partnership Partnership to educate students from across the state with significant health and emotional needs. Students attend school in JCSD buildings or in a classroom located within the ChildServe facility.
• Johnston Community Education Before and after school child care, youth and adult recreation and education programs, and aquatic programs. Partnership between JCSD and the City of Johnston. Includes Kids Connection child care at elementary and middle levels, preschool for ages 2-3, and Kids Connection at Summit for grades 6-7.
• Transportation Services Student transportation through partnership with Student Transportation of America (STA), including bus ridership for students within district boundaries and Developmental Kindergarten shuttle services.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ARC ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner through the P.A.R.T.N.E.R. Framework, supporting career-connected learning and providing mentorship and networking opportunities for students.
• DSM Spine & SportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner providing real-world experiences and career exploration opportunities for students.
• The Learning PostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal toy store partner supporting educational experiences and community engagement.
• Texturious DesignsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner in the P.A.R.T.N.E.R. Framework for career-connected learning.
• AthleticocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical therapy partner providing industry insights and potential career exploration opportunities.
• Factor FabricationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner offering real-world experiences and internship opportunities.
• Medicap PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing career exploration and mentorship in pharmacy field.
• United ContractorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction industry partner for career-connected learning experiences.
• Bank IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services partner providing career exploration in banking and finance.
• FarewaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrocery retail partner offering employment and career exploration opportunities.
• Merkle RetirementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial planning partner supporting career-connected learning.
• City of JohnstonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong municipal partnership with shared facilities and community programs including before/after child care through Community Education.
• ChildServeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to educate students from across the state with significant health and emotional needs. Students are residents of ChildServe's inpatient programs or group homes within district boundaries.
• Student Transportation of America (STA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus ridership partnership providing safe, reliable transportation to and from school for students in district boundaries.
• The Johnston PartnershipflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated at 5870 Merle Hay Rd, Suite C. Offers Johnston Youth Mentoring Program (JUMP), Johnston DMARC Food Pantry, Johnston Clothes Closet, Back to School Health + Wellness Clinic, and United Way Community Resource Navigator. Also runs Weekend Food Program for students.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/johnstoncsd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JohnstonSchools
• Facebookfacebook.com/johnstonschools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/johnston-high-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/johnstoncsd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Johnston Community School District