Who Knew? Urbandale Schools are a Mini United Nations

Think of Urbandale schools, where students speak more than 50 languages, as a mini United Nations.

Surprised? You’re not alone.

“When we share the fact that over 50 languages or language dialects are spoken in the Urbandale Community School District, it often results in a jaw-dropping reaction,” said Brenda Auxier-Malley, the district’s director of student services.

The school district’s ethnic diversity includes large populations of Bosnian and African students whose parents came to Iowa as part of refugee resettlement efforts and Spanish speakers.

"When I came to Urbandale 15 years ago ... I was surprised how all the students looked alike, talked alike and perhaps, thought alike. That model has changed dramatically during the past decade and Urbandale is much richer for the experience.”

Less than two decades ago, that wasn’t the case.

“When I came to Urbandale 15 years ago, having worked in the Des Moines district, I was surprised how all the students looked alike, talked alike and perhaps, thought alike,” Auxier-Malley said. “That model has changed dramatically during the past decade and Urbandale is much richer for the experience.”

Urbandale has taken a holistic approach to assimilating students of different backgrounds. The Urbandale Parks and Recreation Department’s MAC – “Making a Connection” – program established four years ago uses recreation as a platform for learning.

“Along with fun activities, our MAC counselors spend 90 minutes helping the kids with reading and math,” said Jan Herke, Parks and Rec director. “The result has been a major increase in the ability levels, and that spells success in school and the future.”

The Urbandale Community Action Network (UCAN) also partners in the diversity effort.

Mary Polson, a former city council member, directs the program that aims to bring people of different ages, ethnic backgrounds and economic status together.

“We, like most of the suburban communities, enjoy a richness of diversity but, because of our unique ability to cooperate, I feel Urbandale has answered the call to serve others in a well coordinated manner,” Polson said. “Caring for each other across the spectrum of age, ability and ethnicity is truly what makes Urbandale unique.”

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