CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: DES MOINES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

2020: A Year to Be Proud Of

Des Moines Christian School (DMCS) has a rich history in education. With over 75 years of experience and nearly 1200 students currently enrolled, they actively educate and prepare the next generation of the world to be Christ-centered leaders. However, when the 2020-2021 school year was about to begin, they also found themselves and other local schools leading in an entirely new way - how to operate and educate students in the middle of a worldwide pandemic.

Rewind 5 months to March 13, 2020, and DMCS was facing the same thing that the rest of the world was also experiencing for the first time, the COVID-19 pandemic. DMCS was shut down and required to do all virtual learning for the duration of the school year. Struggling with how to provide the same quality of education to their students, DMCS made it through the end of the year but knew that they wanted the upcoming fall to be different. Superintendent, Cade Lambert, went to work with the rest of his staff to prepare their classrooms and community to go back to 100% in-person learning for the 2020-2021 school year, at the request from the majority of students, staff, and parents.

Preparing to re-enter a sense of normalcy after learning and teaching behind a webcam for 3 months is a daunting task. This task becomes even harder when you are the first to do so. While many companies were willing to continue remote working, DMCS, along with other local schools, were some of the first to go back to a “normal” routine. And that they did. Leading the way, Lambert and his staff have been able to have 100% in-person learning thus far, with virtual options available for those students and families with health and safety concerns. Lambert recognizes that this has not only been beneficial for the education of their students but also the mental and emotional well-being of the children they serve.

This attempt at normalcy did not come without some mistakes and significant changes. However, Lambert credits the community they have built for having the patience to get through it all. “We are fortunate to be surrounded by such a supportive community of people. We all share unified intentions and support the same mission,” stated Lambert.

As DMCS continues to grow past the COVID-19 pandemic, it promises to continue to “equip minds and nurture hearts to impact the world for Jesus Christ.” Lambert and his team continually strive to make this mission a promise to their supporters and enhance the experience that all students, staff, and families have while at their school.

To learn more about DMCS, please visit their website at www.dmcs.org