Ankeny Community School District

Type and location
Type Public
Grades Pre-K through 12
Established 1850 (first graduating class in 1914)
Country United States
Location Ankeny, Iowa
District information
Superintendent Dr. Bruce A. Kimpston[1]
Accreditation Iowa Department of Education & NCA
Schools 15
Budget $179 million[2]
Students and staff
Students 9,901[2]
Teachers 675[2]
Staff 1,284[2]
Athletic conference Central Iowa Metro League
District mascot Hawks and Jaguars
Colors Maroon and Gold / Black and Silver with a Maroon Accent
Other information
Website www.ankenyschools.org

The Ankeny Community School District is located in Polk County, Iowa and is 6 miles (9.7 km) from the capital city, Des Moines. The district is well known in Iowa for accomplishments in academics, athletics and activities. Ankeny Schools are accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancEd) and the Iowa Department of Education, and are part of the Central Iowa Metro League (CIML).

For more than a decade, the district has been one of the fastest growing school districts in Iowa, averaging student enrollment growth of more than 300 students per year during that time.[3] The district will serve more than 9,380 students in 2012–2013 and is the 8th largest district in the state (by total students served). By 2015-2016, the district is projected to enroll 10,446 students and by 2017–2018 the district is projected to enroll 11,282 students.[3]

Physically, the district encompasses a relatively compact 51.93 square miles (134.5 km2) and has more than 360,540 miles (580,230 km) driven by buses per year.[2]

History

The first school in Ankeny was a log cabin, built in 1850, twenty years before Crocker Township was organized as a civil township. Ankeny's first school was located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of town where the east entrance of the Iowa State Experimental farm joined Highway 69. This school was later re-located on the east side of Ankeny Boulevard, just south of First Street. Records show that Mr. A. H. Feigenbaum was one of the early teachers, serving in one of the one-room schools about 1880. The early roster includes other names such as Mrs. Hattie Cornwall, a Miss Benedict, Miss Maude Kennedy, and Mrs. John Wagner as a substitute.

The district's first official "graduating class" was the five-person class of 1914. Consolidation came to Ankeny in 1919, at which time the oldest part of the Neveln building was built. Several country school houses were moved to the grounds to accommodate the increased enrollment.

There was no further new construction until 1952 when the original part of the Parkview building was constructed. In 1957, the west wing was added and in 1964 an east wing was completed. In 1964, Parkview became Ankeny High School. Later, the facility was repurposed and renamed as "Parkview Middle School."

Northwest Elementary on West 1st Street was the first building to open after the original Parkview building. It was completed in 1962. Additional buildings include (in order of opening):


In 2009, construction began on the new Ankeny High School in Prairie Trail, and construction on the new Ankeny Centennial High School began with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 1, 2010. In August 2011, the new Ankeny High School opened, along with Phase I of Southview Middle School. At this time, the previous high school became a middle school for 8th and 9th grades. In 2011 the district also experienced its first division on the way to two secondary school systems, by moving to two 6th–7th grade middle schools: Prairie Ridge Middle School for the north feeder system and Parkview Middle School for the south feeder system.

In 2013–2014 the district opened Ankeny Centennial High School, marking the first time in four decades in which a school district in Iowa expanded to two high schools. The name, "Ankeny Centennial High School" is in honor of 100 years of graduating classes in Ankeny Community Schools. The Class of 2013 was the 100th graduating class, graduating just three months prior to the opening of the school.

At the same time, East Elementary School was expanded to accommodate three sections of students at each grade level(K-5).

Expansion

Ankeny Schools has been experiencing a period of rapid enrollment growth, with 300+ new students joining the school district each year. The Ankeny School district opened its second high school in 2013-2014 and now operates two, fully functioning secondary school systems.

Academics

Some of the recent academic accomplishments of Ankeny students include:[2]

• 92.87% graduation rate – No. 1 among the 11 largest districts in Iowa (2010–2011)
• 0.57% dropout rate – (2010–2011)
• 96.3% average daily attendance rate (2011–2012)
• 23.8 average composite score on ACT, while state average is 22.1 and national is 21.1 (2011–2012)
• 0.79 AP Index on the Belin and Blank Iowa AP Index; fifth consecutive increase (2012)
• 74 students earning AP Scholar Awards; 19 with distinction and 16 with honor (2011–2012)
• 81.5% of the graduating class intends to pursue post-secondary education (2011–2012)
• More than 11,400 DMACC credits earned by students (2011–2012)
• 89,203 DMACC credits earned by AHS students since 2000 (2010–2011)
• 3 National Merit Scholarship Finalists (2010–2011)
• 2 Presidential Scholar Candidates (2011–2012)
• 208 students took 5 or more AP/Honors classes (2011–2012); the fourth straight year of increase.
• 42 students graduated with an honors diploma (2012)

Honors

Schools

The district currently has 15 school buildings, using a K-5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–12 grade level structure in two complete "feeder systems":

North Feeder System

South Feeder System

Superintendents

Superintendents who have served at Ankeny Schools include:

• H.H. VanBethuysen 1917–1919
• E.G. Clark 1919–1921
• E.W. Neveln 1921–1943
• Cliff Evans 1943–1947
• Ted Karges 1948–1951
• Ralph Jorgensen 1951–1958
• Melvin Anderson 1958–1960
• Keith Hopkins 1960–1986
• Dr. Ben Norman 1986–2002
• Kent Mutchler 2002–2006
• Dr. Veronica Stalker 2006–2007
• Dr. Matthew Wendt 2007–2012
• Dr. Bruce Kimpston 2012–Present

Athletics

2011–2012 School Year Athletic & Activities Achievements[2]

Historical Information:

Girls' Athletics

Ankeny girls' athletics rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s under Coach Dick Rasmussen, who coached the girls' basketball and softball teams. Under head coach Scott De Jong, the girls basketball team holds the record for the most consecutive state titles. They won the state championship in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005; in 2005 they rose as high as No. 2 in USA Today's Super 25 national rankings.[5] The Hawkettes hold the record for the most state titles by a school in Iowa history, having won six championships under Coach De Jong in the five-girl era and another three under the old six-girl rules.[6]

State Championships

The Ankeny girls track and field team won the state outdoor championship in 1981 under coach Roy Crabtree and has, under head coach Dennis Adamson, won the state indoor championship in 1996 and was runner-up outdoor state champions in 1996 and 1997. The girls track and field team under coach Adamson has also been in the top ten state finishers seven times most recently finishing seventh in the 2010 season.

Under Coach Dave Whims, the Ankeny High School volleyball team has had several state tournament appearances and have won the state championship in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009. In 2003, 2004 and 2010 the team was the state 4A runner up. Overall since 1996, the volleyball team has made 10 state tournament appearances and won 9 conference championships.[7]

The Ankeny girls' golf team, coached by Toni Dickey, has appeared in the state tournament from 2001 to 2005, 2007 to 2009, and 2011. The team has four championships, 1986, 2003, 2004, and 2008. The 2009 team placed 3rd at the state tournament, and 5th in 2011. The girls have been crowned conference champions in each year from 2001 to 2009, and again in 2011.[8]

The Ankeny girls' soccer team, under the direction of Coach Chris Allen, captured their first state championship in 2011. They also won their second title in 2013, with an undefeated nationally ranked team.

Boys' Athletics

Ankeny also has a very successful football team. Coach Jerry Pezzetti has accumulated over 370 wins in his 50+ year career at Ankeny including two state championships in 1997 and 2012.[9] Since 1998, and with the help of special teams coach Peter Rameh, four Hawk kickers have played college football for teams in the Division I Bowl Sub-division, including former University of Miami All-American Todd Sievers

The Ankeny boys' soccer team is coached by Rick Isaacson, with the assistance of Peter Rameh. The team made its first ever state tournament appearance in 2006, losing in the first round to top seeded Bettendorf. They made the state tournament again in 2007, where they won the state title with a 1–0 victory over Valley High School after a last-minute goal by Jacob Misel.

The baseball team has 10 state tournament appearances, including four state runner-ups and two state championships in 1992 and 2012.

Alumni Athletic Participation at Higher Levels

Ankeny High School alumni have participated in numerous NCAA Division I sports, including football,[10] men's[11] and women's[12][13] basketball, baseball,[14] women's golf,[15] equestrian,[16] men's[17] and women's[18] track and field, men's[19] and women's[20] swimming, softball,[21] volleyball,[22] men's[23] and women's[24] soccer, men's[25] and women's[26] cross country, and wrestling.[27]

Several former Ankeny athletes have achieved high levels of performance at the professional level:

Activities

2011–2012 School Year Activities Achievements[2]

Instrumental Music

Debate

Speech

Vocal Music

The Ankeny Bands have two jazz bands, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab, and one marching band, the Marching Hawks.

There are three show choirs at Ankeny High School; Visual Adrenaline (VA), Perpetual Motion (PM) and Intensity, VA and PM being coed, while Intensity being an all-girls choir, respectively. VA continues to gain First Place in competitions, and is 11th in the nation. Jim Cacciatore leads Perpetual Motion, while Lester Miller directs Visual Adrenaline.

The Drama department does three plays a year: a fall play, a children's play (which is led by the students) and a spring musical.

Notable alumni

• Chris Fehn and Jim Root, members of Slip {knot
• Dennis Albaugh, Owner of Albaugh Chemical, No. 468 on the 2009 The World's Billionaires list published by Forbes
• Dennis Gibson, linebacker for the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers football teams
• Pat Dunsmore, Tight end for the Chicago Bears football team
• Paul Rhoads, Head Coach of the Iowa State University football team
• Benj Sampson, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins baseball team
• Connie Yori, head basketball coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers women's basketball team and recipient of the 2010 Naismith College Coach of the Year award
• Andrew Brodell, former wide receiver for the University of Iowa (2004–2008) and second team All-Big Ten Selection.

References

  1. ↑ Ankeny Community School District Superitendent's Profile; ACSD Web Site: www.ankenyschools.org.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 Ankeny Community Schools District Quick Facts; ACSD Web Site: www.ankenyschools.org.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ankeny Community Schools Current and Projected Enrollment; ACSD Web Site: www.ankenyschools.org.
  4. ↑ "Sunshine Review".
  5. ↑ "Usatoday.Com". USA Today. May 20, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  6. ↑ http://www.ighsau.org/hoops/stateresults.pdf
  7. ↑ Ankeny Athletic Booster Club Volleyball Records; ACSD Booster Club Web Site.
  8. ↑ Ankeny Athletic Booster Club Girls Golf Records; ACSD Booster Club Web Site.
  9. ↑ Iowa All-Time Football Coaching Leaders; Iowa High School Athletic Association, additional text.
  10. ↑ "Player Bio: Andy Brodell – Iowa Official Athletic Site". Hawkeyesports.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "Kristina Voss Biography". GoCreighton.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Nicky Wieben". Iowa State Cyclone Sports University Athletics. October 12, 1986. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ http://www.usajaguars.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38419&SPID=3243&DB_OEM_ID=8300&ATCLID=294188&Q_SEASON=2007
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "John Brockardt bio – Duke University Blue Devils | Official Athletics Site". GoDuke.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Mackenzie Madison". Iowa State Cyclone Sports University Athletics. August 10, 1986. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Player Bio: Danny Harty – MISSOURI OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Mutigers.cstv.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Swimming & Diving – Roster". Iowa State Cyclone Sports University Athletics. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Kelsey Nurnberg – Mississippi State University Bulldogs Official Athletic Site". mstateathletics.com. August 8, 1986. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Jill Hoeck". UNCWsports.com. June 29, 1986. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  23. ↑
  24. ↑
  25. ↑
  26. ↑ "Dawn Caffrey". Iowa State Cyclone Sports University Athletics. November 28, 1984. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  27. ↑

External links