4860 NE 31st St
Des Moines, IA 50317

I believe that Cornell is an above average elementary being that it is the only elementary school in the area. My daughter tends to like the kids and the environment of the elementary. However, she has had physical issues with her current kindergarten teacher. Grabbing and squeezing kids hands when they are misbehaving and she seems to have a chip on her shoulder or becomes too upset for 5 year old KIDS . If your child attends any school in the Saydel district, the parent should frequently ask their child how everything is going or reach out to them when you notice habitual notes coming home frequently for "misbehaving." I attended the high school only and I would say the district has a bad habit of playing favorites for the children and promoting "clicks" in their learning environment.

As a parent of a student soaring academically, athletically, musically and socially I can’t agree with the low scoring on this site. Saydel is a fantastic school district for families that are looking for smaller class sizes and the opportunity to participate in many different activities. Unfortunately many families living in this low property tax area leave the district due to the things they’ve heard about it in the past. Many of the families leaving have kids like mine that are academically sound and athletically driven and that hurts our schools scores on website such as Great Schools. Saydel is known for its wonderful special education programs and working well with high risk students and I feel that those wonderful programs are in need in more school districts is what hurts ours. Fall 2020, the families the Saydel district passed a bond referendum to continue school building improvements such as additional classroom spaces, updates to the library and cafeteria, a new music wing and many more additions and updates. Many students thrive far beyond the Saydel walls as well. Many take advance classes at the DMACC Ankeny Campus and end up graduating from high school with not only their high school diploma, but the two year AA degree, shortening their four year college degree work. Saydel is a very well hidden secret in the Des Moines metro. We moved here to start our family and to give our kids opportunities they would not get if attending larger school such as Johnston, Ankeny, Southeast Polk, Des Moines and several others. Give Saydel a chance and see what so many of us in this district already see and experience.

Excellent! Saydel school seem to have a bad reputation due to its past. This district has COME A LONG WAYS in the past 10 years. It truly is a small school within a big community. It’s NOT part of the Des Moines or Ankeny districts. It is it’s own district. Kids have the opportunity to play all sports, involved in band, choir, Mock Trial and more! Many end up starting college courses at DMACC their sophomore year of high school. Many graduating with their high school diploma and AA degree in the same month!