This August, Iowa will welcome six new charter schools into the public school system. Des Moines Prep, will open its doors to150 new ninth graders with hopes of allowing students a new type of education to prepare them with skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

“Des Moines Prep is a new public charter high school opening in downtown Des Moines this fall. We’re a small school with high expectations, a focus on student safety and an emphasis on real-world learning. Our goal is to prepare students to thrive in college, in their careers and in life,” said Matt Lakis, Founding Principal of Des Moines Prep.

Charter schools are a form of public schooling funded by taxpayer money that are privately managed and charge no tuition fee. Most charter schools require students to apply to the schools similarly to how one would apply to a college. Charter schools are also generally only high schools, meaning students will transfer out of public, private or homeschooling to attend. They also generally cater to a certain career or field aspect to help students prepare themselves in that field before they go on to postsecondary schooling or straight into the workforce. For example, the Horizon Science Academy opened in Davenport in August this year. 

“We don’t believe learning only happens inside a classroom. Our students will explore Des Moines regularly—visiting businesses, museums and college campuses—and will go on more ‘field trips’ than any other school in the metro, Lakis said

In 1991, Minnesota became the first state to pass a law to allow public charter schools, with many other states fooling suit in the following years, including Iowa in 2002, when the legislature passed a similar law allowing funding to charter schools. This led to an increase in charter schools opening around the state. In 2022, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds passed a bill that increased funding for Iowa charter schools, this is what ultimately caused all of the openings in Iowa.

“Des Moines Prep is affiliated with the non-profit Opportunity Education Network. We believe all students deserve a safe, high-quality education that prepares them for long-term success. We saw an opportunity to create a school that does things differently: one that emphasizes professionalism, real-world learning, and a strong school culture. Not every student currently has access to a safe, structured, and opportunity-rich school experience—we want to change that. If we’ve gone and just replicated the traditional school experience, we’ve failed.”, Lakis said

While charter schools are opening in the state, they aren’t coming without pushback from parents, teachers and associates. Many people believe they take necessary funding from public schools like Johnston. But many other members of the public believe they allow another opportunity for students who may need a different type of schooling as opposed to the “regular” schooling they would receive at a school like Johnston. 

“Charter schools like Des Moines Prep are public schools, too. We’re free and open to all, and we operate independently of the local school district. Our hope is that we give families another great option. We’re not here to replace traditional schools—we’re here to provide a high-quality alternative and show what’s possible when schools innovate.” Lakis said.