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Southwoods Contact Information
Address: 625 South 35th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265-2053
Phone: 515-633-4500
Principal: Rob Randazzo
Interim Associate Principal: Davena Johnson
Counselors: TJ Cox (L-Z), Yerliana Yeyna (A-K)
Nurse: Jackie Dewater
Secretaries: Wendy Ramirez (Principal), DaLaija Eaves (Attendance), Laura Ropp (Athletics)
School Times
Hours: 8:20 a.m. to 3:20 p.m..
Early Out Wednesdays: 8:20 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
News & Events
Latest News
![A staff member smiles while standing at a whiteboard with a student pointing to the board.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1784659913/wdmcsorg/osbd8ht9wksytyod5nqz/hr-support-staff-career-fair-2026_1080x1080.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1784659913/wdmcsorg/osbd8ht9wksytyod5nqz/hr-support-staff-career-fair-2026_1080x1080.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1784659913/wdmcsorg/osbd8ht9wksytyod5nqz/hr-support-staff-career-fair-2026_1080x1080.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1784659913/wdmcsorg/osbd8ht9wksytyod5nqz/hr-support-staff-career-fair-2026_1080x1080.png","width":1080}])
West Des Moines Community Schools is hosting a support staff career and interview fair Tuesday, July 28 from 3-7 p.m. at the Learning Resource Center in West Des Moines.
![School Board Information]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749487254/wdmcsorg/fv71jpydim9kjy6qh3kb/empty-board-room_1x1.jpg","width":1152}])
The WDMCS Board of Education will hold a regular business meeting July 13, 2026 at the Learning Resource Center in West Des Moines.
![news and updates]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706037561/wdmcsorg/ufnzophwyw70hfjid0f4/news_updates_512x512.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706037561/wdmcsorg/ufnzophwyw70hfjid0f4/news_updates_512x512.jpg","width":512}])
WDMCS announced associate principal transitions for the 2026-27 school year. Haley Hockensmith will move into the role of associate principal at Valley High School and Davena Johnson will become the interim associate principal at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School.
![Head and shoulders image of Michelle Knox, smiling in an office setting.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1782943264/wdmcsorg/emom6dnizvtvneerx0ho/knox-michelle-1080x1080.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1782943264/wdmcsorg/emom6dnizvtvneerx0ho/knox-michelle-1080x1080.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1782943264/wdmcsorg/emom6dnizvtvneerx0ho/knox-michelle-1080x1080.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1782943264/wdmcsorg/emom6dnizvtvneerx0ho/knox-michelle-1080x1080.jpg","width":1080}])
Michelle Knox has been named the next assistant principal at Westridge Elementary, pending approval by the West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education.
WDMCS announced new principals at Fairmeadows Elementary and Western Hills Elementary and a new assistant principal at Hillside Elementary, pending Board of Education approval.
![Headshot of Jenna Pressley. Dark blue graphic includes the WDMCS academic logo. Text reads: New Leadership Role, Jenna Pressley, Director of Human Resources.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781110460/wdmcsorg/nmxt9oodrufbgwtgxpe7/pressley-jenna_1080x1080.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781110460/wdmcsorg/nmxt9oodrufbgwtgxpe7/pressley-jenna_1080x1080.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781110460/wdmcsorg/nmxt9oodrufbgwtgxpe7/pressley-jenna_1080x1080.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781110460/wdmcsorg/nmxt9oodrufbgwtgxpe7/pressley-jenna_1080x1080.jpg","width":1080}])
Jenna Pressley has been named the next director of human resources for West Des Moines Community Schools.
Upcoming Events
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3650 Woodland Ave, WDM, IA 50266
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CV Cafeteria 1501, FM Cafeteria 1408, WH Cafeteria 1501, and WR Cafeteria 1107 (Crestview School of Inquiry, Fairmeadows Elementary, Western Hills Elementary, and Westridge Elementary)
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3650 Woodland Ave, WDM, IA 50266
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Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50265
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CV Cafeteria 1501, FM Cafeteria 1408, WH Cafeteria 1501, and WR Cafeteria 1107 (Crestview School of Inquiry, Fairmeadows Elementary, Western Hills Elementary, and Westridge Elementary)
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IH Cafeteria 1485 and ST Cafeteria 1135 (Indian Hills Junior High and Stilwell Junior High)
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3650 Woodland Ave, WDM, IA 50266
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CV Cafeteria 1501, FM Cafeteria 1408, WH Cafeteria 1501, and WR Cafeteria 1107 (Crestview School of Inquiry, Fairmeadows Elementary, Western Hills Elementary, and Westridge Elementary)
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3650 Woodland Ave, WDM, IA 50266
Additional Resources
Click on any image to learn more.
![Southwoods student raising hand in class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709307424/wdmcsorg/ze8aozv01wwu3rnrxhhy/HomePanel-SouthwoodsDailySchedule.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1709307424/wdmcsorg/ze8aozv01wwu3rnrxhhy/HomePanel-SouthwoodsDailySchedule.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709307424/wdmcsorg/ze8aozv01wwu3rnrxhhy/HomePanel-SouthwoodsDailySchedule.jpg","width":800}])
Access the daily schedule.
![Southwoods choir]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709307402/wdmcsorg/vthchbtvyctjqmx1l8kg/HomePanel-SouthwoodsActivities.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1709307402/wdmcsorg/vthchbtvyctjqmx1l8kg/HomePanel-SouthwoodsActivities.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709307402/wdmcsorg/vthchbtvyctjqmx1l8kg/HomePanel-SouthwoodsActivities.jpg","width":800}])
Discover course offerings by grade level.
![Southwoods class standing together]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709307446/wdmcsorg/sogmkre4qgas6dutuntb/HomePanel-SouthwoodsGetInvolved.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1709307446/wdmcsorg/sogmkre4qgas6dutuntb/HomePanel-SouthwoodsGetInvolved.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709307446/wdmcsorg/sogmkre4qgas6dutuntb/HomePanel-SouthwoodsGetInvolved.jpg","width":800}])
Find ways you can meet other families, volunteer, and be part of our Southwoods community.
![Indian Hills bus line with students walking]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706212588/wdmcsorg/dxlqhb9hzlzksrtrazj8/IndianHills-Bus-HomePanel.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706212588/wdmcsorg/dxlqhb9hzlzksrtrazj8/IndianHills-Bus-HomePanel.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706212588/wdmcsorg/dxlqhb9hzlzksrtrazj8/IndianHills-Bus-HomePanel.jpg","width":800}])
If you are interested in using bus service, please visit our Transportation page.
![Southwoods cafeteria]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709307467/wdmcsorg/b6dpfhajbadrwkzjhvvq/HomePanel-SouthwoodsNutrition.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1709307467/wdmcsorg/b6dpfhajbadrwkzjhvvq/HomePanel-SouthwoodsNutrition.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709307467/wdmcsorg/b6dpfhajbadrwkzjhvvq/HomePanel-SouthwoodsNutrition.jpg","width":800}])
All Southwoods students receive free meals this year.