Callanan Middle School

Des Moines Independent Comm School District

553 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Callanan Middle School, located in the historic neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, serves as a central educational hub for its community. As part of the Des Moines Public Schools district, the school focuses on providing a comprehensive academic experience for students in grades 6 through 8. Known for its distinct architectural character, the school fosters an environment that balances traditional learning with the social and emotional development necessary for young adolescents transitioning into high school.

Beyond its core curriculum, Callanan is recognized for its commitment to student engagement and community involvement. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including athletics, arts, and academic clubs, which allow students to explore diverse interests and build a sense of belonging. With a dedicated staff and a focus on fostering inclusivity, Callanan Middle School strives to prepare its students for future academic success by promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and a strong foundation in both the humanities and sciences.

553

Total Students

35.0

Full-Time Teachers

15.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

79.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Callanan Middle School
Demographic	Student Count
White	147
Hispanic	116
Black	213
Asian	19
Two or More	47
American Indian	3
Pacific Islander	8

Black
213 (38.5%)
White
147 (26.6%)
Hispanic
116 (21.0%)
Two or More
47 (8.5%)
Asian
19 (3.4%)
Pacific Islander
8 (1.4%)
American Indian
3 (0.5%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Des Moines Independent Comm School District
Phone:	(515)242-8101
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	553
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	35.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	403
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	39

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 182

Grade 7 189

Grade 8 182