Volunteer

The Des Moines Public Schools Board of Directors promotes and encourages the ongoing and active use of volunteers to help further develop parental, community, and civic involvement with school sites while at the same time ensuring an appropriate level of safety and security in our buildings. Volunteers are recognized as an important component of a successful and comprehensive school program design by enriching and expanding the educational opportunities available to the students of the Des Moines Public Schools.

All prospective volunteers must complete a volunteer application and consent to a background check including but not limited to screening for assault, felony convictions, child and dependent abuse charges.


A volunteer is defined as a non-paid person functioning within the policies of the Des Moines Public Schools Board of Directors who shall serve under the immediate supervision and discretion of the professional staff to whom he/she is assigned.

The time it takes to process an application can vary from applicant to applicant. Please be patient, as it can take several weeks to complete all necessary steps if additional documentation and/or review is required. We encourage all potential volunteers to apply at least a couple of weeks before the activities you intend to support begin.

You will receive e-mail notification when the processing of your application is complete. Until you receive this confirmation, do not perform any volunteer activity at your selected school site.

You may be contacted by the District Volunteer Coordinator for further clarification about the answers you have provided on your application.

• Online Volunteer Application
• Guidelines for DMPS Volunteers
• DMPS District Volunteer Policy
• Equity and Complaint Form