DES MOINES, Iowa — It was the last day of school for roughly 200 kids at Walnut Street School in downtown Des Moines. Walnut Street is an IB World School, offering the International Baccalaureate program. It’s not a neighborhood school, but many parents who work downtown chose to open enroll there.
“Honestly, the diversity and the devotion from people here, it’s going to be missed. It was one of the higher rated schools and I can’t believe it’s going to be gone to be honest,” said Michelle Fell, parent to a 5th grader at the elementary school.
It’s one of three schools the district is closing over the next five years as part of Des Moines Public Schools’ Reimagining Education plan, a plan to reinvigorate the schools and boost academic achievement and update technology. In November, voters approved the 20-year, $265 million plan…