Meredith School History

Meredith Junior High School opened its doors to students for the 1962-63 school year.  The state of the art facility was built on 50 acres of land donated by Meredith Publishing Company, publisher of the famous Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  It was the first school in Iowa designed with the “little school” concept to benefit students and was featured in the American School Board Journal, (June, 1963 edition).  (Meredith, pages 128-129, Bicentennial Reflections: The History of the Des Moines Public Schools, 1846-1976, R. Denny)

Through the decades Meredith Middle School has continued to provide an excellent public school education to residents living in the northwest side of Des Moines including the historic Beaverdale and Chautauqua Park neighborhoods.

Meredith and Hoover High School entered a unique partnership in 2014 when the high school and middle school campuses earned acceptance as International Baccalaureate World Schools.  After 2021, our association with IB ended. Today our partnership welcomes the most diverse student body in the state.  Our focus is creating inclusive community schools shaping a thriving northwest side.