District

About Us 

The Fort Dodge Community School District is a valued and dedicated district with nearly 3,500 K-12 students, committed to serving the Fort Dodge Community and surrounding areas. 

Superintendent Doug Van Zyl leads the Fort Dodge Community School District to ensure that our schools are delivering excellence, efficiency, and engagement. Follow the Superintendent's Blog. 

View the District Profile: A Look Inside the Fort Dodge Schools

Our School

The Fort Dodge Community School District offers the advantages of both a large and small school.  Classified as the largest district in the area, our low student-teacher ratio allows teachers to focus on the needs of each child while providing students with numerous academic and extra-curricular opportunities, focusing on 21st century learning.  Students consistently exceed the national percentages in reading and math on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development.

The Fort Dodge Community School District works hard to meet the individual needs of each student.  We provide every learner with an engaging curriculum including: 

• Differentiated Instruction
• English as a Second Language
• K - 12 Talented and Gifted
• Special Education

Our District takes pride in our highly qualified educators:

• 100% of our teachers are certified by the state of Iowa in their specific field
• 50% of our teachers hold a Master's Degree in Education

Elementary Schools 

Our elementary program is designed to provide students with the essential elements on which to build a successful educational career. A clear, well-articulated and developmentally-appropriate curriculum is the strength of our schools.

Our four elementary schools house grades K-4 and provide students with instruction in basic skills: 

Literacy                                            Math

Science                                            Social Studies

Physical Education                         Art

Music                                                Technology

The Riverside Early Learning Center houses all of our preschool and Transitional Kindergarten students in an environment that revolved around the specific needs of young children.

Middle Schools

Our two middle schools, Fair Oaks (grades 5-6) and Phillips (grades 7-8) provide middle school students with a well-rounded and rigorous curriculum.                       

Core Classes         Exploratory Classes                                          

English                     Art                          

Math                         Consumer science

Science                   ForeignLanguage                                        

Social studies         Industrial Technology

Literature                 Physical Education

                                  Tecnology

                                  Music(chorus,band, orchestra) 

Our middle school team structure provides opportunities for individual instruction and support. Students learn each day with the same group of teachers and students, allowing them to work daily in a cohesive and familiar environment.  

Throughout their middle school years, students may also participate in athletics (grades 7-8), clubs, and community service projects. 

A  new middle school, which will open in the fall of 2013, will house grades 5 - 8 and is designed to provide our students with a 21st century learning environment that allows them to excel academically in a top notch, caring atmosphere.  

High School

Fort Dodge Senior High has a reputation for offering one of the most extensive learning experiences in the area.  In addition to traditional classes, our broad choice of electives allows students to prosper in relation to their interests and future plans.  Our comprehensive program is designed for students in grades 9 - 12 with differing abilities and goals.

Our program includes:

• Over 200 courses
• 5 Advanced Placement Courses
• 30 Dual College Credit Classes from Iowa Central Community College
•  Honors Courses
• Vocational Articulation

 Students from surrounding districts come to FDSH to benefit from our college classes every semester. On average, students graduate with a semester of college completed. Our trimester schedule means that students have three 60-day 6-class terms to experience in-depth engaging instruction.  

Over 25 extra-curricular activities provide students opportunities for personal expression and growth:

• 19 athletic teams
• 8 Musical Groups
• 9 Clubs
• 12 Activities

Want more information about the Fort Dodge Community School District? Contact the following: