Admissions Process
Thank you for your interest in Des Moines Christian School. We are excited to connect with you and share more about the admissions process at DMC. Each year we have the joy of meeting many families who desire a Christ-centered education for their children. The number of applicants can exceed the amount of seats available. To be invited to apply at DMC, you must first submit an inquiry for your student. The information in the inquiry gives us an opportunity to learn more about your family and help guide you through the next steps of the admissions process.
Step 1: Complete an Inquiry
Tell us more about your student and family by completing an Inquiry Form for every student in your family. We are accepting Inquiries for all grade levels through the 30-31 school year. The child’s full name and actual date of birth (not a future date) are needed to accept your Inquiry. There is no fee and no obligation to enroll.
Completing an Inquiry does not guarantee enrollment but does place your student in the wait pool. The DMC wait pool is an unranked group of students who have completed an Inquiry to begin the enrollment process. A number of factors impact placement in the wait pool including, but not limited to, date of inquiry, sibling of an enrolled student, children of full-time staff members, and children of alumni. Our Admissions office will follow up once your Inquiry is received.
Step 2: Apply to DMC
Now accepting applications for the 26/27 school year
The admissions process begins in September 2025 for the 26-27 school year. Students with inquiries received for incoming early education, kindergarten, 5th grade, 6th grade, 9th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade will be notified by email to begin the admissions process for the 26/27 school year. The process involves completing a comprehensive checklist that consists of an application, a nonrefundable $50 application fee per student, academic records, and teacher references.
Admissions Requirements, Steps and Timeline
Early Education (2-5 years)
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Age Requirements
- Students must be 2 by September 15 for Childcare 2
- Students must be 3 by September 15 for Childcare 3 and Preschool 3
- Students must be 4 by September 15 for Childcare 4, Pre-Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten
Admissions Steps
- Submit Inquiry
- The Admissions office will follow up with you after your Inquiry is received.
- Admissions will request an application and birth certificate once enrollment launches.
Important Deadlines
- September 15, 2025 - Enrollment Launches - if you have submitted an inquiry, expect to hear from Admissions on next steps
- October 31, 2025 - Early Ed Applications/Required Documents Due
- January 8, 2026 - Enrollment Decisions Sent
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| Elementary |
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Age Requirements
- Students must be 5 by September 15
Admissions Steps
- Submit Inquiry
- The Admissions office will follow up with you after your Inquiry is received.
- Admissions will request the following documents once enrollment has launched:
application, birth certificate, school records (progress report from daycare/preschool),
accommodation plan (if needed), recommendation from a teacher
Important Deadlines
- September 15, 2025 - Enrollment Launches - if you have submitted an inquiry, expect to hear from Admissions on next steps
- October 31, 2025 - Kindergarten Applications/Required Documents Due
- January 8, 2026 - Decisions Sent
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| Middle School |
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Admissions Steps
- Submit Inquiry
- The Admissions office will follow up with you after your Inquiry is received.
- Admissions will request the following documents once enrollment has launched:
application, birth certificate, school records (including official transcript or the last two year’s report cards, standardized test results, attendance records, and conduct/behavior report), accommodation plan (if needed), recommendations (preferably from a core subject teacher)
Important Deadlines
- September 15, 2025 - Enrollment Launches - if you have submitted an inquiry, expect to hear from Admissions on next steps
- December 31, 2025 - 6th Grade Applications/Required Documents Due
- March 2, 2026 - Decisions Sent
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| High School |
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Admissions Steps
- Submit Inquiry
- The Admissions office will follow up with you after your Inquiry is received.
- Admissions will request the following documents once enrollment has launched: application, birth certificate, school records (including official transcript or the last two year’s report cards, standardized test results, attendance records, and conduct/behavior report, accommodation plan (if needed), recommendations (preferably from a core subject teacher)
Important Deadlines
- September 15, 2025 - Enrollment Launches - if you have submitted an inquiry, expect to hear from Admissions on next steps
- December 31, 2025 - High School Applications/Required Documents Due
- March 2, 2026 - Decisions Sent
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26-27 School Year Enrollment Status By Grade
Step 3: Visit the School
Students who advance in the process will be invited to visit the school. Your visit will include opportunities to connect with other students and teachers.
Middle and High School students will attend a scheduled Shadow Day with other prospective applicants. Applicants will spend a morning attending classes, chapel, and lunch with a student ambassador. We can't wait to show you around DMC!
Step 4: Interview with your Division Head of School (Principal)
Our heads of school look forward to meeting with parents and students together. During this 30 to 60 minute interview, we hope to learn more about your family, assess if DMC can meet the learning needs of your child, and answer your questions.
Step 5: Enroll
Students who meet all of our Admissions Criteria will be offered a contract for enrollment when a seat becomes available. Priority status is given to siblings of an enrolled student, children of full-time staff members, and children of alumni.
Step 6: Welcome to DMC
We're excited to connect you with the DMC community! You will receive invitations to new family events and school activities. Student and family ambassadors help navigate your first year at DMC.