Most metro districts will begin K–12 classes Aug. 24. Free school supply registration in West Des Moines closes Aug. 6, followed by distribution events later in August.
By Hola America
Most K–12 students in the Des Moines metro area will return to class Monday, Aug. 24, as local organizations prepare school supply and backpack distributions for the 2026–27 academic year.
The first approaching deadline is Aug. 6 for income-eligible West Des Moines households seeking free supplies. Back 2 School Iowa will hold its annual distribution Aug. 23, one day before classes begin in Des Moines and several surrounding districts.
West Des Moines school supply registration closes Aug. 6
West Des Moines Human Services is accepting registrations from income-eligible city residents with students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. The program provides supplies based on each student’s school list, although every requested item may not be available.
Online and in-person registration will remain open through Thursday, Aug. 6. Distribution is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Appointments are required, and the program requests a photo ID and proof of household income. There is no participation fee. In-person outreach hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at West Des Moines Human Services, 139 Sixth St.
The school supply registration form is available online. Program information is also available at 515-222-3687.
Free physicals are available Tuesday evenings
Uninsured and underinsured children can receive free physicals at the Valley Junction Free Medical Clinic inside the West Des Moines Human Services building.
The clinic opens Tuesdays at 7 p.m., with check-in available through 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted, and West Des Moines residency and income verification are not required. The clinic does not provide immunizations.
Back 2 School Bash will distribute supplies Aug. 23
Back 2 School Iowa will hold its 2026 Back 2 School Bash on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Reichardt Community Recreation Center, 915 College Ave. in Des Moines.
School supplies will be available until they run out. The distribution ends at 5 p.m. or earlier if all supplies have been claimed.
Additional event information is available through the Back 2 School Iowa website.
Backpacks will reach DMARC partner pantries
CROSS Outreach will distribute backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies for students from Head Start through 12th grade in low-income households.
The backpacks will be available through Des Moines Area Religious Council partner food pantries across Polk County during fall 2026 while supplies last. A distribution start date was not available as of July 28.
Availability can be confirmed through CROSS Outreach at 515-279-8877. Addresses and current hours are available through the DMARC pantry locator.
Most Des Moines-area districts start Aug. 24
Start dates vary for preschool students and for schools operating on a separate calendar. The main dates for central Iowa districts are:
- Des Moines Public Schools: Aug. 24 for K–12 students and Sept. 2 for preschool.
- West Des Moines Community Schools: Aug. 24 for K–12 students and Aug. 31 for Tiger Cubs Preschool. Kindergarten will dismiss early Aug. 24–26.
- Ankeny Community School District: Aug. 24 for K–12 students and Sept. 1 for preschool.
- Johnston Community School District: Aug. 24 for K–12 students, with dismissal three hours earlier than usual on the first day.
- Waukee Community School District: Aug. 24 for transitional kindergarten through 12th grade and Aug. 31 for preschool.
- Southeast Polk Community School District: Aug. 24 for K–12 students and Sept. 8 for Little Rams Preschool.
- Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District: Aug. 24 for transitional kindergarten through 12th grade and Aug. 31 for preschool.
- Urbandale Community School District: Aug. 24 for K–12 students outside Karen Acres Elementary. Karen Acres follows a year-round calendar and begins July 30.
Iowa’s sales tax holiday covers clothing and footwear
Iowa’s annual sales tax holiday will run Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8. Clothing and typical footwear priced below $100 per item will qualify for the exemption from state and local-option sales taxes.
The $100 limit applies to each item rather than the total purchase. Eligible online orders also qualify when they are ordered and paid for during the two-day period.
Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, calculators and other standard school supplies remain taxable in Iowa. Items priced at $100 or more also remain taxable, and the exemption does not continue into Sunday.
Shopping guide: Iowa and Illinois sales tax holidays begin Aug. 7
DMPS enrollment remains open for 2026–27
Des Moines Public Schools continues to accept 2026–27 enrollment at the DMPS Welcome Center, 1301 Second Ave. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 515-242-7371.
Related: How Iowa families can apply for free and reduced-price school meals for 2026–27
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