PHOTOS: Dowling Displays Percussion Power at Central Iowa Drumline Clinic

The Dowling Catholic High School Drumline showed off its beat Tuesday night at the Central Iowa Drumline Clinic in Ankeny.

West Des Moines' Phenix Elementary Named Healthiest in State

The school was honored as Iowa's healthiest K-12 school at an Oct. 20 event aimed at promoting physical fitness and nutrition.

Valley Wins Mid-Iowa Band Championship Title

Dowling Catholic places third in Class 4-A contest.

Dowling Catholic Places Third in Band Competition

Dowling Catholic's marching band finishes behind Valley in Mid-Iowa Band Championship.

Photo Gallery: Valley Tigers Steamroll the Warriors 55-14

No. 2 West Des Moines Valley handed neighboring Waukee its first loss in CIML play Friday night. The Warriors are now 5-3 overall on the season, while Valley remains undefeated.

Art, Nocturnal Creatures and More To Do This Weekend in West Des Moines

Start your weekend out with a stroll around Valley Junction or a night-time hike through Brown's Woods.

No. 2 West Des Moines Valley Travels to Waukee Tonight; Dowling Catholic Meets Indianola

Dowling Catholic ends regular season play tonight.

Crossroads Park Elementary to Celebrate Renovations with Open House

The West Des Moines elementary school was closed last school year for renovations. The public can check out the refurbished school at an open house Sunday.

Waukee Band Wins ValleyFest in West Des Moines; Dowling, Urbandale and Johnston Also Compete

Waukee won the sweepstakes, and Dowling Catholic, Urbandale and Johnston also turned in strong performances Saturday.

Dowling Catholic Boys' Cross Country Tops in State

The Dowling boys' cross cross country team finished second at last year's state meet and holds the No. 1 ranking in the state right now. Six of seven runners return from last year's team, making the boys favorites to win the state title this season.

Dowling Runners Are Favorites for Fifth-Straight State Title

The Dowling Catholic girls' cross country team has the top-ranked team and the top-ranked runner in the state. Dowling has dominated the sport since 2007.

Dowling Maroons Hitting Their Stride in Rebuilding Year

After a tough week one loss to crosstown rival Valley, the Maroons have won five of six games, including an upset of the then fourth-ranked Ankeny Hawks.

Second-Ranked Ben Anderson Leads Valley Cross Country Team

Three of seven runners from last year's state team return for the Tigers this season. That team finished fourth at the state meet and this year's team has set its goals to be as good as that.

Photo Gallery: Valley Tigers at Urbandale Invitational Volleyball Tournament

Valley squared off against some of the best teams in Iowa on Saturday at the Urbandale Volleyball Invitational Tournament, held Saturday, Oct 1, 2011, at Urbandale High School.

Valley Tigers Eat Little Cyclones Alive

The Valley High School Tigers put an exclamation point on their homecoming week, crushing Ames 41-0 on Friday night at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines.

Valley Back on Top and Undefeated So Far

After a rare early exit in the playoffs last season, the Valley Tigers football team is in familiar territory: atop the conference and ranked.

'Hire This Guy' Parent Wrote After Interviewing New WDM Schools Chief

Peter Ansingh is closely watching efforts to reform Iowa's public education system.

Growing Number of iPads Wow Crestview Students, Staff

West Des Moines students praise the devices, which they use to write words and build sentences. They're learning, and the kids call it "super, super fun."

West Des Moines Superintendent Gets High Marks for Communicating

The challenges of increasing diversity and poverty, along with nine schools on the Schools in Need of Assistance list, signal important conversations ahead for West Des Moines school officials.